B.B. King (1925 – 2015) was the famous American blues singer, electric guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. King introduced a sophisticated style of soloing based on fluid string bending and shimmering vibrato that influenced many later electric blues guitarists. King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and is considered one of the most influential blues musicians of all time, earning the nickname “The King of the Blues”, and is considered one of the “Three Kings of the Blues Guitar” (along with Albert and Freddie King). (Wikipedia)
Here are ten interesting facts you didn’t know about him, including his real name, the impressive number of kids he had and his gambling passion (visit website here).
- His real name is Riley B. King. His first nickname in Memphis was the Beale Street Blues Boy, which became Blue Boy King and later B.B. King.
- King was born on a cotton plantation in Itta Bena, Mississippi, and later worked at a cotton gin in Indianola, Mississippi.
- Little Riley B. King was raised by his grandmother.
- He was married twice but his greatest love was his guitar, which he affectionately called Lucille.
- B.B. King had 15 children!
- He was known for entering the casinos and gambling all his money and then writing songs about it! Today is safer and funnier to gamble online, on platforms like gambling360.
- King won 15 Grammy Awards and recorded more than 50 albums.
- He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
- He was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush in 2006.
- “The Thrill is Gone,” King’s biggest hit, from 1969, was a cover of Roy Hawkins’ 1951 jam about heartbreak.
Source: NBC news
