B.B. King (1925–2015,) fully Riley B. King, was an American rhythm-and-blues guitarist and singer-songwriter. Known as the “King of the Blues,” he was a principal figure in the development of blues. Many leading popular musicians drew inspiration from King’s expressive and sophisticated musical style.
King was born into a black sharecropping family in Itta Bena, Mississippi. His synthesis of acoustic country blues with a jazz set the stage for half a century of development in African American music. Among his most notable albums is There Must be a Better World Somewhere (1981.) Other popular albums include Singin’ the Blues (1951,) Lucille (1968,) Take It Home (1979,) Six Silver Strings (1985,) There is Always One More Time (1991,) Deuces Wild (1997,) and One Kind Favour (2008.)
King helped promote the blues with rock audiences, playing over the years with such rock artists as Jimi Hendrix and U2. Blues-rock guitarists such as Eric Clapton have also cited him as a vital influence.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by B. B. King
Jazz is the big brother of the blues. If a guy’s playing blues like we play, he’s in high school. When he starts playing jazz it’s like going on to college, to a school of higher learning.
—B. B. King
Topics: Jazz
The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.
—B. B. King
Topics: Learning
I don’t think anybody steals anything; all of us borrow.
—B. B. King
Topics: Plagiarism
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