Lucille, The Blues, and Fire Alarms: How B.B. King Risked It All for His Guitar (and Lived to Sing the Blues)

Full Biography of B.B. King

Riley B. King, better known as B.B. King, is widely regarded as one of the most influential blues musicians of all time, earning the title “The King of the Blues”. Born on September 16, 1925, on a cotton plantation in Itta Bena, Mississippi, King’s early life was marked by hardship. Raised in the heart of the Delta, he experienced the struggles of African American life in the segregated South. His parents separated when he was a young child, and he was raised primarily by his grandmother. Music became a form of escape for King, and he found solace in the sounds of the church and the radio.

Early Career and Influences

B.B. King’s love for music was deeply rooted in gospel, but as he matured, he was drawn to the sound of Delta blues and country music. He started playing the guitar at a young age, developing a unique style characterized by vibrato and string bending, which would become his signature sound. In 1946, King moved to Memphis, the hub of blues music, where he immersed himself in the vibrant music scene. He gained popularity on Beale Street, playing live shows and working as a disc jockey at WDIA, the first radio station in the United States programmed by and for African Americans. During this period, he earned the nickname “Beale Street Blues Boy,” later shortened to “B.B.”.

Rise to Fame

B.B. King’s first big hit came in 1951 with “Three O’Clock Blues”, which topped the R&B charts for weeks. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, King released several hits, including “You Know I Love You”, “Woke Up This Morning”, and his most famous song, “The Thrill is Gone”. His blend of traditional blues with elements of jazz, swing, and gospel helped elevate his sound, making him appealing to a broad audience. The Thrill is Gone became a crossover hit in 1970, reaching both the pop and R&B charts, and solidified King’s status as a mainstream artist.

The Lucille Legacy

B.B. King’s signature instrument is “Lucille,” his famous black Gibson guitar. The story behind Lucille began in the 1950s, when King was performing in a small club in Arkansas. A fire broke out, and King risked his life to save his guitar. He later learned that the fire had been started by two men fighting over a woman named Lucille. In her honor, he named all his guitars “Lucille” to remind himself never to do something as foolish as running into a burning building.

Later Career and Legacy

B.B. King continued to tour tirelessly well into his seventies and eighties, performing over 200 concerts a year at the height of his career. He collaborated with numerous artists, including Eric Clapton, Bobby “Blue” Bland, U2, Buddy Guy, and John Mayer. King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and his contributions to music earned him numerous awards, including 15 Grammy Awards, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Kennedy Center Honors.

B.B. King’s legacy transcends music. He influenced generations of guitarists, including Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Keith Richards. His work also broke racial barriers in the music industry, helping to bring blues music to a wider audience and serving as a cultural ambassador of American music.

Death and Legacy

B.B. King passed away on May 14, 2015, at the age of 89. His influence on blues and rock music is profound, and his contribution to guitar playing remains a touchstone for musicians around the world. King’s music lives on through countless recordings, live performances, and the enduring love of blues music.

His dedication to his craft, resilience in the face of adversity, and timeless music made him a legendary figure not only in blues but in the world of music as a whole.

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B.B. King: The Thrill Is Still Alive – Live at Royal Albert Hall 2011 [Blu-ray]