B.B. King

About

Riley B. King, known professionally as B.B. King, was an American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer who became the single most important electric guitarist of the second half of the 20th century. He passed away in 2015. King's career took root in Memphis, where he stayed with his cousin Bukka White, a celebrated blues performer who served as one of his earliest mentors. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, King became integral to the thriving blues scene on Beale Street, earning the radio nickname "Beale Street Blues Boy" while working as a singer and disc jockey at WDIA. The nickname was shortened first to "Blues Boy" and finally to "B.B." His radio spot grew so popular it was expanded into the "Sepia Swing Club." King introduced a sophisticated style of soloing built on fluid string bending, shimmering vibrato, and staccato picking that would influence countless electric guitar blues players to come.

B.B. King earned the title "The King of the Blues" and became recognized as one of the "Three Kings of the Blues Guitar" alongside Albert King and Freddie King. His early recordings, including "You Know I Love You" in 1952, "You Upset Me Baby" in 1954, and "Good Man Gone Bad" in 1960, established him as a powerhouse in the blues world. King is considered one of the most influential blues musicians of all time, with his innovative guitar techniques and emotive performances shaping the landscape of American music for generations. His legacy stands as a testament to the artistry and cultural significance of the blues tradition.