THE “THRILL” IS GONE

B.B. King, born Riley B. King on September 16, 1925, in Itta Bena, Mississippi. The son of Nora
Ella and Albert King, Riley, as a young boy worked in the fields alongside his sharecropper
parents picking cotton. Riley’s early musical beginnings were experienced in the local churches
with gospel music.
The years following the death of his mother and grandmother were hard for Riley. He faced the
blatant bigotry of the segregated South,as he played on street corners for bits of change. In
1946, hoping to change the venue, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee, the new center for blues
and R&B. It was there, he connected with his cousin Bukka White, a well known blues guitarist,
who became a mentor. King's talent soon earned him a spot on a local radio station, WDIA,
where he worked as a disc jockey and was dubbed the "Beale Street Blues Boy," later
shortened to B.B.
Surrounded by the Delta blues, gospel, and jazz, King’guitar playing and singing were deeply
influenced. Guttural groans, grimaces , and his expressive guitar playing, accented by high-end
vibratos and bluesy set the bar for the new “norm” in blues. His special Gibson ES 355 guitar
named "Lucille," became as well known as him, and a noted trademark of his music.
Like many popular blacks performing in the hot racial climate of the South, King had to “sneak”
through the “kitchen” door and stay in “non-rooms” Somehow, BB, being such a strong
performer, was able to break through racial barriers, and, soon, he became revered by the new
wave of British musicians in the 1960s. English greats like Clapton and The Stones emulated
King's style, and shared collaborations that allowed his music to reach a broader, more white
audience.
In 1969 King had a huge hit, and a Grammy award with "The Thrill Is Gone", which became
one of his most requested songs. His touring was a non-stop “pilgrimage” that showcased the
blues to mixed audiences worldwide. With 40 studio albums like “Deuces Wild” under his belt; in
2000, BB joined Eric Clapton in the studio for "Riding with the King,".This special album sold
over 3.5 million copies. His hard work earned 15 other Grammy awards, and BB received a
Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987. BB continued to perform his trademark blues in about 300
shows a year. It’s no wonder he was called “The King of Blues”.
At 89, BB’s health began to fail. His last performance was October 3, 2014.He passed away on
May 14, 2015 in Las Vegas. Surely an end to an era. His journey from the Mississippi cotton
fields to the pinnacle of success, illustrate his talent, resilience, and the public love of the blues.
Drawing Notes: In the forefront, the side of the guitar tells the story of how “Lucille” got it’s
name. It started with a fire. BB’s face is filled with musical & personal facts, influences, and
achievements. In his mouth are the words: Never Make a Move Too Soon.; One of his great
songs. You’ll see he was named “A Living Legend” by the Library of Congress in 2000, and in
2006, BB was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award. Not too shabby Lil’ Riley!