BB King Is Gone (But The Thrill Of His Music Remains)

[Glassweb]

One of the great musicians of our time has passed, BB King. And a King he was. I was lucky enough to have a front row seat years ago at the Fillmore East and be dazzled by a set of amazing, passionate music. We should all take a page out of his book... keepin' it real. He was and will always be "the real thing". Now he can take a most well-deserved rest....

[journeybear]

Here is a photo of two great musicians, one world-famous and one not quite as much, but a Café member - BB King and Jimi Hocking - both steeped in the blues.

[Beanzy]

This news "upsets me babe" but then I think of the amazing soundtrack he gave me in my youth and think of the incredible legacy of music he leaves and smile again.

[Chris W.]

BB King, more than anyone, showed me that good tone doesn't come from fancy equipment or expensive instruments. Good tone comes from the hands.

[G7MOF]

Sooooo Sad!!!

[Londy]

not what I wanted to read first thing this morning.
What an inspiration he was to me. If I get the nerve, I will post a snippet of a song I did for BB later tonight in his honor.

[Austin Bob]

So sad to hear, the world is a lesser place without him.

The Thrill Is Gone.

[Galileo]

"Live at the Regal", still one of the greatest live albums of all time. He will truly be missed. Thanks for all of the great music. RIP Mr. King.

[choctaw61]

What a sad day indeed.BB King was a world class guy on and off stage.I was raised in the Mississippi delta seven miles from his home of Inverness,Ms.He was and is the Real Deal.Delta will be blue today. Rest in peace!!

[verbs4us]

I remember reading an interview once with, I think, John Renbourn, who said he'd rather hear BB King play one note than most other musicians play 50 notes.

[jshane]

I saw him play (and was fortunate enough to be able to speak with him and shake his hand) some years ago. In addition to being a GREAT musician, he was gracious, and very supportive of his band-- including letting each member play as the "featured" member on at least one song. He didnt have to do this, but he did, and it was wonderful to see.

[tree]

One of the first concerts I ever attended was BB King. He influenced many of my guitar heroes and therefore my own guitar playing. Heck of a fine human being, to boot. RIP, BB King.

[mandopops]

A major passing.
His Music was important to me. Long before I ever played Mandolin, I was listening to B.B. I saw him live many, many times. I never saw a lukewarm performance, always gave his all. I met him on a couple of occasions, one time talking with him at some length. There was a small group around him including a writer from Downbeat.
Long live the King.
Joe B

[David Lewis]

My favourite bluesman. Saw him twice. Both times amazing.

'I bought you a brand new Ford and you said 'I want a Cadillac' '

No better blues couplet

[AlanN]

A Giant, in our little world, too.

[samlyman]

Another giant has moved on!

I never got a chance to see him live but I tuned into his music when I first started playing 25 years ago. He and Robert Johnson inspired me to play the blues! Here is a YouTube video I posted a while back of my version of The Thrill is Gone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBZR1PGcTcI

[Roger Moss]

I remember reading an interview once with, I think, John Renbourn, who said he'd rather hear BB King play one note than most other musicians play 50 notes.

So true. The King could do more with one note than the rest could with a whole scale.

[G7MOF]

So sad to hear, the world is a lesser place without him.

The Thrill Is Gone.

Fabulous!!!

[Spruce]

Saw him many many times, and I have a black 335 here that he signed waaay-back-when that I'm going to pull out right now and re-string...

RIP BB...

[tree]

That has to be one of the most AWESOME photos of BB King, bar none!

I dig the guitar w/P-90s, the amp, the mic, his 2-tone shoes with shorts, jacket and skinny tie, his closed eyes, and the 3-way plug on the floor!

[George R. Lane]

My wife and I saw him in Las Vegas over 30 years ago and what a show he put. His music was a big part of my youth, as a young surfer in Cali. I saw many blues bands living there but he was truly the King. RIP bluesman.

[Jeff Hildreth]

About 25-30 years ago I was stuck in the Las Vegas Airport ... BB King and his "handler" were also stuck and in line right behind me.
After we checked in .. we spent about 45 treasured minutes chatting.... a very interesting and pleasant man.. I still have his autograph card.

We have something in common.. we both prefer Lab Series L-5 Amps.

RIP

[Skip Kelley]

So sad! BB will certainly be missed!

[sgarrity]

I loved BB's music before I knew who Bill Monroe was. But like Bill, all it took was one note and you knew it was BB King and Lucille about to get as blue as it gets! We saw him for the last time in Aug. 2013 as part of Peter Frampton's Guitar Circus. Getting to shake his hand was a moment I'll never forget. BB King is the definition of a Legend!

[mandopops]

Another thought on B.B.
So often when there is talk about B.B. King, it is focused on his Guitar playing. Rightfully so.
Also, he was simply a glorious Singer, from a whisper to a scream. He could shout with the best and croon with the best.
Long live the King.
Joe B