The thrill is gone. B.B. King has passed away at 89.
I think it's safe to say that he influenced a multitude of famous blues guitar players, and countless unknown players as well.
Well Done, Sir. Rest In Peace.
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I did a show last summer at a local Amphitheater for a day-long
I did a show last summer at a local Amphitheater for a day-long music festival; we were on right before B.B., who was, of course, the show closer.
Our band got a real kick out of the fact that our dressing room was adjacent to his - but, he never used it.
He had an RV that was parked out back behind the venue; and at show time, they brought him out to the backstage area in a wheel chair, dressed to the 9's, holding Lucille, and they set him up on a stool at center stage to play.
He did 2 hours, non stop, no break...and sounded just as great as he ever did... he was incredible, and so was his band... (young guys, too! )
We were lucky because we had backstage passes (for our own set) so some of us stayed and got side stage viewing for the show. We knew enough to stay out of everyone's way, and nobody told us we had to move, so we watched the show. When he was done, we all kinda whispered "Great show, Mr, King.." He smiled at us, but didn't answer - he appeared to be pretty physically spent.
I'm mentioning all this to make this one point - as of last summer, at 88 years old, B.B. King was still touring and playing shows.
We should all be so strong and dedicated. ;)
i got to see B.B. King in the 60's at the Carousel Ballroom (Fi
i got to see B.B. King in the 60's at the Carousel Ballroom (Fillmore West). we went to see Zappa and The Mothers but Booker T. & The M.G. and B.B. King were on the bill too. Booker T & The M.G.'s opened and Zappa played 2nd ... B.B. closed the show with Booker T & The M.G. as his back up band. Albert King sat in too and he an B.B did a guitar battle at the close ... a lifetime experience.
this is the second "King" we've lost this month. R.I.P. B.B. you sure left a mark.
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around to the right of the building was a small parking lot where B.B. parked his Dodge camper van with billboard style posters for the show pasted to the side windows. i remember my friends and i really thought he was travelling in style ..... lol.