Full Name: Riley B. King
Profession: Blues Musician
Biography: B. B. King is considered one of the most influential blues musicians of all time. King is known for his unique style, ability to cross genres and his long playing career.
King started recording in the 1940s and had his first national hit, "Three O'Clock Blues," in 1949. His many hits include "Let The Good Times Roll", "The Thrill is Gone", and "Rock Me Baby".
King played over 300 concerts a year until he was in his seventies. King was inducted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" in 1987 and won 16 Grammys throughout his career, including A Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987.
He has collaborated widely, with artists that include Eric Clapton, Elton John, Sheryl Crow, Van Morrison, and Bonnie Raitt.
Born: September 16, 1925
Birthplace: near Berclair, Mississippi, USA
Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Ox
Star Sign: Virgo
Married Life
- 1944-11-11 Blues musician B.B. King (19) marries his first wife Martha Denton
- 1958-06-04 American blues musician B.B. King (32) weds his second wife Sue Hall
Historical Events
- 1952-02-02 B.B. King's “3 O’Clock Blues” hits #1 on the US Billboard's R&B hit parade to become his first national hit
- 1985-09-22 First Farm Aid benefit concert, Champaign, Illinois; organized by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp; performers included Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Billy Joel, B.B. King, Hoyt Axton, Joni Mitchell, Rickie Lee Jones, and Emmylou Harris
- 1987-01-21 B.B. King donates his 7,000 record collection to the University of Mississippi
- 1987-01-21 B.B. King is inducted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame"
- 1987-01-21 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees: The Coasters; Eddie Cochran; Bo Diddley; Aretha Franklin; Marvin Gaye; Bill Haley; B.B. King; Clyde McPhatter; Ricky Nelson; Roy Orbison; Carl Perkins; Smokey Robinson; Joe Turner; Muddy Waters; Jackie Wilson; Louis Jordan; T-Bone Walker; Hank Williams; Leonard Chess; Ahmet Ertegun; Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller; and Jerry Wexler
- 2006-12-15 B.B. King is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush
- 2011-06-22 Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, England opens: U2, Coldplay, and Beyoncé headline; other performers include B.B. King, Paul Simon, Mumford and Sons, Morrissey, and Wu-Tang Clan
- 2014-10-03 Blues guitarist and singer B.B. King's last live performance, at the House of Blues in Chicago
Eric Clapton
Muddy Waters
W. C. Handy
Linda McCartney
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Tim McGraw