Main

:|: Singers
:|: Guitarists
:|: Bassists
:|: Drummers
:|: Pianists
_____________________

Bookmark This Site

Rock & Roll Top 10 Lists

About AxeMojo.com

Riley B. King - aka B. B. King - hails from Itta Bena, Mississippi. His blues sound has gone on to influence legions of guitarists, being widely regarded as one of the most important guitarists ever.

Influenced by the likes of T-Bone Walker, Lonnie Johnson, Charlie Christian and Django Reinhardt, B. B. took began to sing Gospel music in church.

In 1943 he moved to Indianola, Mississippi and by 1946 he was encouraged by his cousin and country blues guitarist Bukka White to pick up the guitar.

Soon thereafter, King began to broadcast live music through an all-Black music radio station (WDIA). First known as The Pepticon Boy, then Beale Street Blues Boy, he was eventually christened B.B.

Naming his guitars "Lucille" after a woman who caused a fire because of a stunt he pulled at one of shows, B. B. has had a memorable life after his early days as a sharecropper.

By the 1950s, B.B. was one of the most influential names in R&B, with hits likes "You Know I Love You," "Woke Up This Morning," "Please Love Me," "When My Heart Beats like a Hammer," "Whole Lotta' Love," "You Upset Me Baby," "Every Day I Have the Blues," "Sneakin' Around," "Ten Long Years," "Bad Luck," "Sweet Little Angel," "On My Word of Honor," and "Please Accept My Love."

In 1962, ABC-Paramount Records signed him to a recording deal.

His success crossed over with the 1969 remake of the Roy Hawkins tune, "The Thrill Is Gone."

In a 34 year stretch from 1951 to 1985, he charted the Billboard R&B 74 times. After that, he recorded less but became more prominent in the public eye, particularly after recording the 1988 single "When Love Comes To Town" with U2. He followed that up twelve years later with Eric Clapton on Riding With the King.

In 2004, he was awarded an honorary Ph.D from the University of Mississippi and the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.

Date of Birth: 16 September 1925

Copyright

:|: B.B. King's Official Site

Free Music :|: Free Video Clips

INTERESTED IN WRITING ON MUSIC AND COVERING BANDS?
EMAIL US