A cornerstone of the beginnings of Rock and Roll left as quietly as a shadow on May 14 when B. B. King departed this place for another. And while many say that the “thrill is gone”, I see it quite differently. While I do mourn the physical departure of anyone within my sphere, I always appreciate the legacy they have left behind. The most important part of the legacy of B. B. King is not only his unshakable faith in the music he played, the lyrics he crafted, and the performances he gave, but it is the core of his spirit that remains in the songs that are still here for us to listen to and to appreciate.
His influence is felt not only in the days of his beginnings and those that followed in his path, but also in the components and core of Rock and Roll, of which he had no small part in helping to craft and shape for all of us still here to listen to. With the greatness of Muddy Waters, and others of the first family of Blues, the foundation was set and is still pretty firm.
For those that had the enviable luck to see him perform live, my hat is off to you. In our usually busy world, it’s often the greats that tend to be passed up in favor of other, more visible bands. Nevertheless, while B.B. King is taking a lead role in the Great Band, we have plenty of B. B. King within our realm to enjoy.
The electric guitar rarely knew a familiar friend like Lucille knew B B King. Now, go and listen to any version of “Why I Sing The Blues”. Celebrate BB King’s life. Because, he’s still quite here!
B. B. King
1925 – 2015
RIP
“The blues was bleeding the same blood as me.”
From what I’d read in the news the last year or so, I knew his train was a comin’.
He held in there and lived a long life. RIP.
Who inherits the “resident old blues master” title now.. Buddy Guy?
Yep, sad news. He was a great performer and gentleman. One of the greats who belongs in the history books.
I had the pleasure to see “BB” several times at a very small venue (~200 seats) here in town, on numerous tours. I was always puzzled why one of the great legends of music would play at a somewhat run-down bar, but he just loved playing for an audience.
That is the thing that I respect the most: he wasn’t in it for the money or fame, he was in it for the music and the opportunity to bring it to the people, wherever they were.
Hats off in respect to this great guitarist and blues musician. -RIP
I had been meaning to pick up one of his boxed sets for two years. As soon as I heard he passed, I snagged a copy of “King Of The Blues” on eBay. In the meantime, I listened to his other boxed set, “Ladies And Gentlemen… B.B. King” on Rhapsody today.
I saw him many years ago at the Tampa theatre and later the State Theatre in NJ. Both excellent shows.