B.B. King

16 September 1925 – 14 May 2015

B.B. King was an American blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter known as 'The King of the Blues'. His expressive vibrato and single-string soloing on his guitar 'Lucille' made him one of the most influential blues musicians of all time.

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Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with B.B. King.

Life events

Born near Itta Bena, Mississippi
16 September 1925

Riley B. King was born on a plantation in the Mississippi Delta.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Moved to Memphis
1947

King relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, to pursue a music career.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became a radio disc jockey
1949

King performed on Memphis radio, where he acquired the nickname 'Beale Street Blues Boy', shortened to B.B.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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First number-one R&B hit '3 O'Clock Blues'
1951

King topped the R&B charts, establishing him as a major blues artist.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Recorded 'The Thrill Is Gone'
1969

The crossover hit earned King a Grammy and broadened his audience.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
1987

King was honored for his foundational influence on blues and rock.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
2006

King received the United States' highest civilian honor for his musical legacy.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Las Vegas, Nevada
14 May 2015

King died at age 89 at his home in Las Vegas.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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