RIP BB King! King Of The Blues. Not unexpected but sad just the same.
I guess the best place in the world right now for a tribute to BB will be the upcoming Gov't Mule show in Germany.
One of the greats. His staccato emotionally charged attacking vocals were as much a blessing as his guitar licks, but never at the same time. A legacy that will live forever. RIP Sir.
A sad day.
BB was the first concert I attended. Back in high school, saw him at a theater on Penn State's campus, in I think 1996.
There's a picture of BB and Clapton, from the 60's, sitting on amps, legs crossed, playing together. It's my favorite music picture. Unfortunately, I don't know how to post pics here, but it's easy to find on google.
Rest Easy BB. You, more so than most others, have earned it. Such a musical giant.
I am thankful that I had the good sense to attend this show as a college freshman. BB was not really in my wheelhouse at the time, but it was a buck! He and Bobby Blue showed what true professional musicians were capable of. I would see him four more times since, most great, one not so great, but I cheered the King every time.
Anybody know who the third guitarist is in the picture up there ^? I thought it was Jack Bruce - don't think so. Almost looks like Elvin Bishop. Would love to hear the notes flyin' around in that picture!
Edit - closer inspection - Mick Taylor?
Brock - BB and Bobby Bland for a buck! That's like pickin' up the Mona Lisa at a yard sale for fifty cents!
[Edited on 5/15/2015 by Rusty]
Rest Easy BB. You, more so than most others, have earned it. Such a musical giant.
I am thankful that I had the good sense to attend this show as a college freshman. BB was not really in my wheelhouse at the time, but it was a buck! He and Bobby Blue showed what true professional musicians were capable of. I would see him four more times since, most great, one not so great, but I cheered the King every time.
Saw that same tour as my first experience of the King also.
It was on valentines day and everyone was dressed to the hilt. The ladies were close to fainting when Bobbi was on! 
some of you knew our little girl Heather, our baby, in a wheelchair 3 weeks short of 25 years.
When our younger children were nearly grown, friends and school and after school jobs, no time for us old folks, Kevin, Heather and I finally had the opportunity to do something we 3 loved best.
Concerts 
Lots of concerts 1999-2002 we rolled!
NYC Beacon run, Memphis, Lula , up and down the Eastern Seaboard, Waylon and Willie and The Allman Brothers Band, oh my, we saw so many ABB shows those 2 years, we'd find ourselves at rest areas at 3 am , with Derek walking by to buy candy bar out of a machine, Susan and Stacy in the ladies room with me nodding hello and smiling .
It was Heather who turned us on to Lee Roy Parnell. Country? maybe, but that slide! she knew a good thing when she heard it.
And BB, Heather LOVED BB.
But Heather was frail, so with the exception of the Beacon, it was mostly outdoor venues, or the finer, smoke free concert halls in Macon, the Douglas, oh, and that beautiful antebellum theater there. Is it the Capital? Ruth Eckerd Hall St Pete, The Van Wezel /Sarasota, BB Mann /Ft Myers. Fine Theatres or outdoors, no in between.
But then, for Heddy's 24th birthday, it was such a milestone 24 years. Dr s insisted she would never survive the first day, then a week, one even went so far to tell me to stop feeding her, take a sleeping pill, shut out the crying, when she was a baby 🙁 Let her go....
But here we were, 24 years later. Never had our baby been so healthy , so happy. And In Memphis no less, to see the King of Blues! A real nightclub, the only nightclub. For her 24th birthday! Not knowing it would be her last.
It was so exciting for all of us, surely Heather had never been to a nightclub, and Kevin and I , well, nowhere that compared to BB KINGS on Bealle St.
I remember like it was yesterday, silk was in, I bought an electric blue silk fancy blouse to wear with white jeans & boots.
I don't feel the cold, but it must have been cool that night. Kevin favored a dress leather jacket, and we bought Heather a heavey white sweatshirt with big blue letters " The University of The Blues " from a street corner vendor in the doorway of a vacant bldg. We were glowing.
Tix in hand, we arrived really early, just after breakfast, and started a line.
A crowd suddenly began to gather behind us, like iron dust to a magnet.. got crazy wild fast! lots of pushing / shoving and a few anxious concert goers started shouting , fights began to break out.
The vibe was turning ugly fast when out of the crowd, a beautiful young black woman, she was so very beautiful, clear creamy skin, like a chocolate candy bar, and all dolled up sparkly glittering eye make , hair piled high on top of her head, wearing a full length , cherry red evening gown that fit her like a glove. She was gorgeous!
She walked right up to the 3 of us, I thought we were getting booted out 🙁 we've had good seats taken from us before, because of the wheelchair .
Not that night, the beautiful young girl introduced herself as BB 's daughter, asked if we would be so kind to do her a favor (I was still panicking)
Behind us all of Bealle Street had become a sea of people, more people than Id ever seen on the streets of NYC.
Would we mind following her, so we wouldn't be in the way of the crowd? I still didn't understand, I felt my heart sinking, we wanted so badly to sit close up, when she asked me if I wasn't that lady that played Otis Redding on the juke box at the BBQ across the street?
well yes I was, then I recognized her, that's when it clicked. We had eaten ribs for breakfast , at the BBQ across from BB's nightclub. She was a waitress at the BBQ, her hair had been covered, no make up in the morning, but she had made it a point to walk over and compliment how she never saw folks so happy that morning, and that she also loved Otis Redding & God bless us.
I had blurted out "We're going to see BB! It's Heather's 24 th birthday today !
The pretty lady, asked us to please follow, and so we did. She sat us at the side table next to the stage, closest to the entrance, not 4 feet from the stool BB would be sitting on
Then she walked over to the windows, and pulled up some kind of shades, and the crowd suddenly had their faces pushed up against the glass, smiling and waving.
Finally, the sun started to set and evening moon &stars began to rise.
The concert was fabulous, think BB at his very own nightclub on Bealle St, nothing like it.
Then over, all too soon.
That was when BB turned to us, and said "Now I want to talk about Love"
Heather let out such a shrill scream and laughter, and her and BB started laughing and truth is, I zoned out, he so took me by surprise, I couldn't hear myself think.
BB spoke for awhile, if only I had those words to re-live, to hear again, but I don't.
The he smiled and said "Happy Birthday Heather darling!" and the crowd erupted into a frenzied standing ovation, a 20 minute standing ovation, unlike any Id ever witnessed before.
Can you imagine? folks were cheering and yelling for our baby, Happy Birthday Heather! chanting Happy Birthday! For a little girl, a little lady, that could neither walk, or talk, or even eat without my assistance. That is what BB King means to me.
Now I want to talk about love..I love you BB....I love you Heather...See you in the light.
GREAT story, Carol.
Vintage BB...:cool:
B.B. King - 1968 I've Got a Mind to Give Up Living
Anybody know who the third guitarist is in the picture up there ^? I thought it was Jack Bruce - don't think so. Almost looks like Elvin Bishop. Would love to hear the notes flyin' around in that picture!
Edit - closer inspection - Mick Taylor?
Brock - BB and Bobby Bland for a buck! That's like pickin' up the Mona Lisa at a yard sale for fifty cents!
[Edited on 5/15/2015 by Rusty]
I believe it is Elvin Bishop.
I am thankful to have seen him at the Bottom Line with ABB with Gregg and Danny Toler, with Bobby Bland at Westbury several times. I met him once and I know why he had 15 wives, his charm and charisma would stop any woman in her tracks. His music got me thru so much, he'll always be one of my favorite musicians for his talent and passion and persistence. He never gave up on his dream. That dream became an American legend. You done well B, I don't think he'll be resting much, I think he'll be rockin' in peace!
Nice biography from the New York Times
[Edited on 5/16/2015 by gina]
Carol, thanks for sharing that wonderful story, surely you will cherish those memories forever!!
I recall seeing you and beautiful Heather at the Beacon way back when..... Those were great shows and great people.
RIP B.B. King......
some of you knew our little girl Heather, our baby, in a wheelchair 3 weeks short of 25 years.
When our younger children were nearly grown, friends and school and after school jobs, no time for us old folks, Kevin, Heather and I finally had the opportunity to do something we 3 loved best.
Concerts
Lots of concerts
NYC Beacon run, Memphis, Lula , up and down the Eastern Seaboard, Waylon and Willie and The Allman Brothers Band, oh my, we saw so many ABB shows those 2 years, we'd find ourselves at rest areas at 3 am , with Derek walking by to buy candy bar out of a machine, Susan and Stacy in the ladies room with me
It was Heather who turned us on to Lee Roy Parnell. Country? maybe, but that slide! she knew a good thing when she heard it.
And BB, Heather LOVED BB.
But Heather was frail, so with the exception of the Beacon, it was mostly outdoor venues, or the finer, smoke free concert halls in Macon, the Douglas, oh, and that beautiful antebellum theater there. Is it the Capital? Ruth Eckerd Hall St Pete, The Van Wezel /Sarasota, BB Mann /Ft Myers. Fine Theatres or outdoors, no in between.
But then, for Heddy's 24th birthday, it was such a milestone 24 years. Dr s insisted she would never survive the first day, then a week, one even went so far to tell me to stop feeding her, take a sleeping pill, shut out the crying, when she was a baby 🙁 Let her go....
But here we were, 24 years later. Never had our baby been so healthy , so happy. And In Memphis no less, to see the King of Blues! A real nightclub, the only nightclub. For her 24th birthday! Not knowing it would be her last.
It was so exciting for all of us, surely Heather had never been to a nightclub, and Kevin and I , well, nowhere that compared to BB KINGS on Bealle St.
I remember like it was yesterday, silk was in, I bought an electric blue silk fancy blouse to wear with white jeans & boots.
I don't feel the cold, but it must have been cool that night. Kevin favored a dress leather jacket, and we bought Heather a heavey white sweatshirt with big blue letters " The University of The Blues " from a street corner vendor in the doorway of a vacant bldg. We were glowing.
Tix in hand, we arrived really early, just after breakfast, and started a line.
A crowd suddenly began to gather behind us, like iron dust to a magnet.. got crazy wild fast! lots of pushing / shoving and a few anxious concert goers started shouting , fights began to break out.
The vibe was turning ugly fast when out of the crowd, a beautiful young black woman, she was so very beautiful, clear creamy skin, like a chocolate candy bar, and all dolled up sparkly glittering eye make , hair piled high on top of her head, wearing a full length , cherry red evening gown that fit her like a glove. She was gorgeous!
She walked right up to the 3 of us, I thought we were getting booted out 🙁 we've had good seats taken from us before, because of the wheelchair .
Not that night, the beautiful young girl introduced herself as BB 's daughter, asked if we would be so kind to do her a favor (I was still panicking)
Behind us all of Bealle Street had become a sea of people, more people than Id ever seen on the streets of NYC.
Would we mind following her, so we wouldn't be in the way of the crowd? I still didn't understand, I felt my heart sinking, we wanted so badly to sit close up, when she asked me if I wasn't that lady that played Otis Redding on the juke box at the BBQ across the street?
well yes I was, then I recognized her, that's when it clicked. We had eaten ribs for breakfast , at the BBQ across from BB's nightclub. She was a waitress at the BBQ, her hair had been covered, no make up in the morning, but she had made it a point to walk over and compliment how she never saw folks so happy that morning, and that she also loved Otis Redding & God bless us.
I had blurted out "We're going to see BB! It's Heather's 24 th birthday today !
The pretty lady, asked us to please follow, and so we did. She sat us at the side table next to the stage, closest to the entrance, not 4 feet from the stool BB would be sitting on
Then she walked over to the windows, and pulled up some kind of shades, and the crowd suddenly had their faces pushed up against the glass, smiling and waving.
Finally, the sun started to set and evening moon &stars began to rise.
The concert was fabulous, think BB at his very own nightclub on Bealle St, nothing like it.
Then over, all too soon.
That was when BB turned to us, and said "Now I want to talk about Love"
Heather let out such a shrill scream and laughter, and her and BB started laughing and truth is, I zoned out, he so took me by surprise, I couldn't hear myself think.
BB spoke for awhile, if only I had those words to re-live, to hear again, but I don't.
The he smiled and said "Happy Birthday Heather darling!" and the crowd erupted into a frenzied standing ovation, a 20 minute standing ovation, unlike any Id ever witnessed before.
Can you imagine? folks were cheering and yelling for our baby, Happy Birthday Heather! chanting Happy Birthday! For a little girl, a little lady, that could neither walk, or talk, or even eat without my assistance. That is what BB King means to me.
Now I want to talk about love..I love you BB....I love you Heather...See you in the light.
I have to admit that story had me reaching for my tissue box to wipe some tears from my eyes.
That's one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read.
Thank you for sharing that with everyone here.
You just confirmed everything I ever thought B.B. King was as a performer and a person.
This is probably a somewhat morbid statement but I feel very honored and I guess humbled to have seen many of the blues greats that graced us with their talent and skills and are no longer with us.
Junior Wells
Koko Taylor
Albert Collins
Albert King
Son Seals
Honnyboy Edwards
Pinetop Perkins
I know there are more but those ones stick out, It was really nice to actually meet some of them.
Everything in Moderation. Including Moderation.
I`m still in shock R.I.P BB King
I second what Psy said about your story Carol. Just beautifully written.........what a touching tribute. THANK YOU.
Thank you Carol for sharing that story, it says it all about BB and about what kind of a person he was. BB was everyone's friend, just like the Dalai Lama of the Blues. Everyone who plays electric guitar is influenced by him, even if they don't even know it! His musical legacy is unparalleled in American history. His name will never be forgotten- if people still play and listen to guitar music a thousand years in the future, they'll still be listening to and copying BB's playing. His playing was straight from his soul. And his singing was absolutely incredible- he had an emotional range that could floor you. The best singer I ever saw was BB King. Long live The King! We love you forever BB!
Damn
I was working all weekend and just saw this
Rest in peace B.B. King.
to lose BB , to put that little slice of our life out there, to go back and look over pix, it took a lot out of me, am thankful for the kind words....you are all so sweet
Brock posted, and Fanfare re-posted, a tix from 1977, the year Heddy was born. When I see that year/number, it always startles me, so is a Mother's love.
Edge, I do remember your friendship at the Beacon It was appreciated, God bless you.
Dickey kept spotting us walking down the aisles as shows got underway. It was March 2000. He never failed to tip his cowboy hat to Heather.
There's no rule book that says they have to be wonderful, but there was something about Heather that brought the wonderful out in all the musicians we met.
Perhaps because she had so little by way of physical ability, they recognized a kindred Soul paying dues.
So many otherwise rough and tumble musicians were kind and gentle toward Heddy along her road home.
I have to add, just looking at that pix of BB and our Dickey-boy makes my heart sing, so thankful for the Joy their music has brought to life. TY for posting
[Edited on 5/18/2015 by Carol]
I have to add, just looking at that pix of BB and our Dickey-boy makes my heart sing, so thankful for the Joy their music has brought to life. TY for posting
[Edited on 5/18/2015 by Carol]
May I add to that as well -- a really special photo -- capital J indeed -- RIP Mr. King
It's nice that there will be a public time at the funeral home for regular public well wishers to visit him, one day before the private service in Las Vegas, Nevada. BB loved people and they loved him, so you can go and say goodbye.
"B.B. King’s family has announced memorial and funeral service plans following the blues musician’s death last Thursday, USA Today reports. King’s memorial service will be held this Saturday in Las Vegas, according to a Facebook post his daughter Claudette made over the weekend.
According to details provided to The (Jackson) Clarion-Ledger by B.B. King Museum Executive Director Dion Brown, Las Vegas’ Palm South Jones Mortuary will hold a public viewing of King from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday. People will be able pass King's open casket, but there won't be seating or a memorial service during the viewing, mortuary manager Matthew Phillips said.
Family and close friends will attend a private memorial service Saturday morning at 9:30, before a public service at 11 a.m." A private service for family members will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the larger downtown Palm Mortuary chapel, which seats 400. Toney and Phillips said the media will be excluded.
http://time.com/3882918/bb-king-memorial-service/
http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/wireStory/bb-king-viewing-friday-vegas-mississippi-burial-31131609
He will be going home to Mississippi next week, where a service will be held on Monday.
King will be buried on the grounds of the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in his hometown of Indianola, Mississippi, said Allen Hammons, a member of the museum board of directors.
SPECIAL SHOW AT BB'S IN NYC Buddy Guy remembers BB.
http://www.bbkingblues.com/bio.php?id=5061&camefrom=EMCL_640642_27587070
[Edited on 5/21/2015 by gina]
Autopsy happening the coroner will determine if there was any foul play, as some of BB's family members have requested a toxicology investigation to determine if BB died from natural causes of somebody helped cause his death. Nuff said for now.
