B.B. King was one of the most influential and celebrated blues musicians of all time. He was born on September 16, 1925, on a cotton plantation in Mississippi. His parents were sharecroppers, and he grew up working in the fields. When he was 12 years old, his mother died, and he moved in with his grandmother.
King’s first exposure to music came from attending church. He was drawn to the gospel music, and soon he began singing in the choir. He also listened to blues music on the radio, and he was particularly inspired by the playing of T-Bone Walker.
In 1947, King moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where he began playing in clubs and on street corners. He was soon discovered by a disc jockey named Ike Turner, who helped him land his first recording contract. King’s first hit came in 1951 with “Three O’Clock Blues,” which stayed at the top of the charts for 15 weeks.
King went on to record over 50 albums and became one of the most successful and respected blues musicians of all time. He was known for his distinctive guitar playing, which he called “Lucille,” and his soulful singing. He won 15 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
In addition to his music career, King was also a civil rights activist. He played at benefit concerts for the movement and spoke out against segregation and discrimination.
King passed away on May 14, 2015, at the age of 89. His legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world.