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B.B. King

Person · Male

B.B. King

From
Berclair, United States
Active
1925–2015
Rating
★ 4.2 (5 votes)
Releases
396
  • blues
  • electric blues
  • blues rock
  • soul blues
  • classic blues
  • classic rock
  • jazz
  • rock

About

Riley B. King (September 16, 1925 – May 14, 2015), known professionally as B. B. King, was an American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He introduced a sophisticated style of soloing based on fluid string bending, shimmering vibrato, and staccato picking that influenced many later electric guitar blues players. AllMusic recognized King as "the single most important electric guitarist of the last half of the 20th century".

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King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and is one of the most influential blues musicians in history, earning the nickname "The King of the Blues", and is referred to as one of the "Three Kings of the Blues Guitar" (along with Albert King and Freddie King, none of whom are related). King performed tirelessly throughout his musical career, appearing on average at more than 200 concerts a year into his 70s. In 1956 alone, he appeared at 342 shows.
Born and raised in the Mississippi Delta, King was attracted to music and taught himself to play guitar, beginning his career in juke joints and on local radio. King later lived and performed in Memphis and Chicago. As his fame grew, he toured the world extensively.

From B. B. King on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Member of

Discography

Albums 48
EPs 1
Singles 26
Live 58
Compilations 259

Showing 60 of 259. See them all on MusicBrainz

Other 4

Links

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Official

Social

Concerts

Reference

Parent

Supporting musician

Also known as

B B King · B. B. King · B.B. King & Ensemble · B.B. King & Friends · B.B. King Medley · B.B. King and Friends · B.B.King · BB King · BB King and Friends · BB. King & Friends · Riley B. King

Tags

  • 2008 universal fire victim
  • rhythm & blues
  • filmore
  • jazz and blues
  • live
  • urban blues

Identifiers

ISNI
0000000108886545
IPI
00016240228

Data from MusicBrainz, saved 6 Nov 2026. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, covers from the Cover Art Archive and Apple Music.