B. B. King Biography, Photos and Posters

B. B. King

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Riley B. King

Born: September 16, 1925
Hometown: Itta Bena, Mississippi
Instrument: Guitar/Vocalist
Music Training: Sang in Church Choir and learned to play the Guitar; cousin Bukka White
Bands and Orchestras: The Famous St. John's Gospel Singers
Signature Song: "The Thrill Is Gone"
B. B. King biography: He left his hometown, where he had played on street corners for nickels and dimes, for Memphis, Tennessee in 1947. There he stayed with his cousin, the reknown blues artist, Bukka White. A radio stint on KWEM's Sonny Boy Williamson's show led to steady employment at the 16th Avenue Grill in West Memphis. He needed a catchy radio name and became known as Blues Boy King. After his hit song "Three O'clock Blues" King set out on national tour. His blues style guitar playing was influenced by the likes of Charlie Christian and T-Bone Walker and has been the model for the likes of George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck. During the 60s, the blues guitarist and vocalist hit the R&B charts with tunes like "How Blue Can You Get," "Don't Answer the Door," "Paying the Cost to Be the Boss" and "Why I Sing the Blues," however it wasn't until 1969 that he crashed the national pop charts with "The Thrill Is Gone" which gave him the same type of mainstream recognition that had prior to that point been known only by fans of the blues. During the 70s he continued to turn out hits with "To Know You Is to Love You" and "I Like to Live the Love," "Never Make Your Move Too Soon" and an inspiring "When It All Comes Down."