Riley B. King, professionally known as B.B. King, was a renowned American blues singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He was born on September 16, 1925, in Itta Bena, Mississippi, on a cotton plantation. King's introduction of a sophisticated style of soloing, characterized by fluid string bending, shimmering vibrato, and staccato picking, significantly influenced many later blues electric guitar players. His immense impact on the music world was recognized by AllMusic, which referred to him as "the single most important electric guitarist of the last half of the 20th century".
Throughout his illustrious career, King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, earning the nickname "The King of the Blues". He is considered one of the most influential blues musicians of all time, alongside the "Three Kings of the Blues Guitar", Albert King and Freddie King, none of whom were related to him. King's tireless performances continued well into his 70s, with an average of over 200 concerts per year. In 1956, he performed an astonishing 342 shows alone.
King's early life was marked by his work on a cotton gin in Indianola, Mississippi, and his attraction to music and the guitar in church. He began his career in Juke joints and local radio, later relocating to Memphis and Chicago. As his fame grew, King toured the world extensively, sharing his unique sound and style with audiences globally. King passed away at the age of 89 on May 14, 2015, in Las Vegas.
