Celebrating B.B. King With Music Memorabilia

B.B. King was born Riley B. King on September 16, 1925. He was an American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He introduced a sophisticated style of soloing based on many techniques that influenced many blues electric guitar players later on. King has been called “the single most important electric guitarist of the last half of the 20th century”.

King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. He is considered one of the most influential blues musicians of all time. He earned the nickname “The King of the Blues”. He is considered one of the “Three Kings of the Blues Guitar”, along with Albert King and Freddie King (none of whom are related). King was known for touring tirelessly. He appeared on average at more than 200 concerts per year into his 70s. In 1956 alone, he appeared at 342 shows.

King was born on a cotton plantation near the city of Itta Bena, Mississippi. He later worked at a cotton gin in Indianola, Mississippi. He was always attracted to music and taught himself to play guitar. He began his career in juke joints and local radio. He later morved Memphis and then Chicago. Then, as his fame grew, he toured the world extensively. King died at 89 in Las Vegas in 2015.