B.B. King (1925-2015), born Riley B. King in Itta Bena, Mississippi, revolutionized electric blues guitar through innovative single-note soloing techniques and expressive string bending that became foundational to modern blues and rock music.

Early Life and Career

King moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1946 and began performing on radio station WDIA. He earned the nickname "Blues Boy" during broadcasts, later shortened to "B.B." Throughout the 1950s, he recorded prolifically for the RPM Records label in Los Angeles, establishing himself as a dominant force in postwar blues.

Musical Innovation

King's technique of bending strings to create vocal-like phrasing distinguished him from earlier blues guitarists. He named his favorite guitar Lucille and performed with it for over six decades. His sustained single notes and controlled vibrato influenced generations of rock and blues musicians.

Major Recognition

• Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1987) - honoring his 50+ year career
• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987)
• Kennedy Center Honors (1995)
• Performed at the Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island (1967)

King recorded over 40 studio albums and performed approximately 250 concerts annually during his peak years. His album Live at the Regal (1964), recorded in Chicago, remains a cornerstone of blues documentation.

Reference:

Wikipedia: B.B. King

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._B._King