When I awoke this morning and checked the news, I was (like many) devastated to hear the legend that is Mr BB King had passed away at the age of 89. The recent photographs that emerged of the great man lying in his hospice bed showed it was likely to be only a matter of time, but that doesn’t make the news any easier to take in.
I don’t use the term devastated lightly, but he was of course one of the last true bluesmen left standing (we do however still have the likes of Buddy Guy) and along with the late John Lee Hooker on a personal level was my introduction to the blues and indeed partly responsible for my love of music in general.
You see, back when I was young and discovered AC/DC and 70’s rock music it was also seeing footage of BB King that turned me on to a genre that started way before I had come into the world and presumably at an age where I didn’t truly understand it’s roots – but that didn’t matter, for I’ve had many a year since to delve into its history and continually listen to the music of years gone by.
I also recall getting my first BB King cassette, it was Xmas and a stocking filler from my Mum and Dad (sorry Santa) which despite anything that may have been considered a main present remained a firm favourite on the stereo and still sits on the shelf at my parents to this day… only the rest of my BB King collection has grown to cover an array of his back catalogue from his debut album “Singin’ the Blues” and various other releases to collaborations such as “Riding With the King” (with Eric Clapton) and “Deuces High” (featuring an array of guests) along with “Live at San Quentin” on vinyl and VHS recordings from televised concerts, official DVD’s and finally his last studio album “One Kind Favour” released in 2008 which is a tip of the hat to those artists that had inspired him along the way rather than that of his own material.
The power of the internet and in particular You Tube is another outlet to discover just how amazing the (not so young) man was, the amount of footage available is near impossible to keep track off and the vast number of other famous musicians that have played alongside him show just how well respected BB King was as an artist.
Strangely, although I’m no great guitarist myself BB King along with his infamous Lucille guitar was an inspiration to keep playing – considering he is up there with the best of them, BB couldn’t play a chord, read music or sing and play at the same time… you’ll notice he always switches between vocals and solos, or the odd note here and there as a result.
Furthermore, I don’t have many regrets in life, but not ever getting to see BB King live is certainly one of them. When I was slightly too young to go off to a gig on my own, he bizarrely played in Gosport (for those of you reading this from further afield, Gosport isn’t exactly known for drawing in artists of BB King status) however it’s during my more recent years that I had vowed to see him in London no matter how ridiculous ticket prices would be or had even looked into travelling overseas yet alas, I failed and will be kicking myself forever more.
Despite my failure to have seen the great man on stage the music will always remain close to my heart (and of course my stereo) for now and forever, so Riley B King you will be truly missed, for when it comes to playing and living the blues the term legend is but an understatement – rest in peace and long live the King, the thrill may have gone but it will never be forgotten.
