That was really great.

Really a great tribute by Derek and thanks for posting Rusty. Derek is so articulate, and respectful of his influences...........perfect musician to write this.

Thanks for posting the link. I'm not a RS reader so i would have probably missed it. Derek sure has a way with words and just like BB he's the real deal.

"It really is the goal, for Eric and a lot of us. It's the thing we're all after".

When you've been watching the kid play since he was...well, a kid...that statement by Derek seems almost surreal.
But it's true. Derek really is one of "them".

Great article. Thanks for posting!

Derek Trucks is just a class act.

Derek Trucks is just a class act.

truly

the vid that accompanies that piece is killer

I agree with Derek but only up to a point. No matter how much reverence you have there is still an expectation of a professional show. I think the issue is are you educated; ie: are you up to date on what the artists condition is ahead of time. Kind of like the Dickey complaints over the last few years.

The audience owes itself to be respectful of the artist; but a very casual music fan going to see "B.B." over the last few years might have understandably come out disappointed.

Derek is articulate and a "class act." No doubt. And BB is, was and forever will be the face of the Blues and a American musical icon of the highest order. However, BB's last few tours were ... sad (I could have easily used other negative adjectives and they would have been appropriate.) Pay to be in the same room? I dropped around $300.00 for the same performance I could've got at my mom's rest home albeit minus the great band. Oh well ... It wouldn't be the blues without the bad. It wouldn't be music without somebody getting ripped off. And I guess you ain't somebody without somebody fighting over control of the estate. 🙁

I hear what the last two posters are saying. Yeah, I get it.

Depending on where your head (heart, even) is at, you could ... appreciate the latter day BB King shows on a variety of levels.

In this age of internet, social media and instant press - I'd say that most fans pretty much knew what they were liable to get at a BB King show during these final years. I don't think many attended at gunpoint. As stated, I saw a handful of shows in recent years. I do not remember paying $300 for tickets at any of them. Seems like the most that I paid for a BB King HEADLINER show was maybe $75 - for good seats.

I know a lot of people who just didn't get around to seeing a BB King show until the last few years. Most that I speak with are indeed grateful that they got to be in that room with him for that period of time.

When they make the biopic of BB King, these years and these shows will certainly be depicted. It will be a sad section of the film - bittersweet, at best. Produced accurately, the film will depict hecklers - even people getting up and walking out of the theaters. When I'm a lot older - a lot grayer and this movie plays late at night on television, I'll poke the person in the chair next to me and say, "I was there, and I KEPT my seat".

No matter how much reverence you have there is still an expectation of a professional show.

I would have to agree with that. And I don't by any means intend to disrespect a legend in any way. But I stopped going to see B.B. ten years ago, not because he couldn't play (he COULD) but because he had started talking more than he played. But when it gets to the point that the music is just not there anymore, it's time to quit. I see a direct parallel to Muhammad Ali coming back in his early 40's and getting his head battered.

[Edited on 5/17/2015 by robslob]

In this age of internet, social media and instant press - I'd say that most fans pretty much knew what they were liable to get at a BB King show during these final years. I don't think many attended at gunpoint.

Disagree. I believe most attendees at concerts are not your so-called dedicated fan and in B.B. King's case, I'll wager most can only name "The thrill is gone" as a tune they know he recorded. I'll go a step further and guess that the majority in attendance in the last few years own zero of his albums or CDs; it was an opportunity to see a legend.

Below is my review from Mr. King's performance in San Diego last August:

"Wednesday night rolled around and I grabbed my Gretsch and headed out to this beautiful venue with the hope that I might add B.B. to the list of musicians who I've asked to sign. There was an opening act at 7:30, so I figured Mr. King would take the stage around 8:15 or so and left the house using that time frame. I arrived at 9:20 only to find out that he had just taken the stage...So, I'm standing outside the venue when this guy walks up and asks me if I need a ticket..."How much" I ask. "$10" came the response. Once inside I made my way to the seat ($70) and within the first two minutes I could tell something was not right with B.B. Not only had he kept the crowd waiting for a good hour past his scheduled start time, but his performance was just this side of embarrassing. Now I realize the man is 88 years old, God bless him. But I don't know where to begin...His guitar was only in key for about 10% of the evening; I mean either he was out of tune or he can no longer hear. It was just awful. I had heard that all he did was talk during his show, just the opposite happened here. The only time he addressed the audience was to respond to someone in the first few rows who had yelled "We love you B.B."!...answering with "What?...I love you too"...the rest of his set was an occasional out of key and synch guitar riff that made a good percentage of the crowd head for the exits. No kidding, after about 45 minutes, almost half of the venue was empty. His supporting cast however was in top form, leading the way through various attempts at old favorites (Thrill is gone) and songs that in reality were nothing more than directionless jams...Through it all, B.B. sat center stage in a folding chair looking like he was really trying to please the crowd. His voice was almost inaudible and he seemed to grimace during most of the show. I too thought about departing early, but instead chose to move closer to the stage with each opportunity and seeing him up close, do not feel he is going to be with us much longer. When the show ended he was helped to his feet by a couple of band members and seriously took 10 minutes to get him into wheelchair and off the stage. Upon seeing that I decided to forgo any chance to ask him to sign and just made my way to my car and drove home. Just a sad thing to witness, especially since the first time I had seen him live was at this very venue in 1986. I choose to remember that show and wish this living legend nothing but the best....".

No matter how much reverence you have there is still an expectation of a professional show.

Agreed.

R.I.P. Mr King, you are already missed.

It chapped my a$$ to read about people being disappointed [and rude] at a BB show in his last years of life!. if you want BB or Dickey for that matter, "in their prime" go rent a video.

No excuse for rude; and not talking about "prime" just giving a solid show. I remember an article in the NY Times about Willie Mays tripping in the outfield during the WS. It stated "An entire generation got old today." Same point. It was courageous of BB to go out there - but some shows it seems like he hardly played.

I saw BB in the early 2000s back to back shows in Maine. It was fantastic, I had been listening to this guy for twenty years and he delivered both nights. I have no complaints. This winter I read his autobiography - maybe others should too. The man kept the blues alive and really brought them to so many of us for so many years. He was an icon - keeping the torch lit. In reading about him you discover that he knew no options than constant touring and really was a hell of an ambassador for this music, he sacrificed a ton. I saw him receive insults in the last few years - it really made me sad. I will say that I listen to all BB from blues on the bayou to Cook County Jail to Live at the Apollo. The guy kept the music that I love goin'.

No excuse for an audience to be rude. And. A performer charging money is getting paid to put on a show.

I have understanding but no patience for paying my hard earned $$ for performers who show up incapacitated (Dickey Betts burned us for nearly $100) or in BB's case, I thought it was entirely sad he was out on the road like that. The you-tubes were excruciating. Don't know if it was to pay band members and family or if nobody had the balls to tell him it was awful. And if I'd paid money for it I would be hopping mad!

For the people who say 'well they aren't in their prime anymore' - DUH.
But I'd expect a good show, a solid show. Not #crap.

There is a great BBC documentary of BB, very well done and super nice that it was done before he passed away.

I saw BB with Corey Harris opening in Seattle in the 90's. Second row seat. It was fantastic. BB was on fire. So was Corey.

RIP BB King the world was a better place with you than it is now without you.