Happy Birthday to the one and only........
Riley B. King, the undisputed king of the blues (BB King) turns 83 today.
Here's some interesting facts about him that you may, or may not already know;
His mother, Nora Ella King died when he was 9.
He grew up on a Mississippi plantation chopping cotton for $0.75 per day or picking cotton for $0.35 per 100 lbs. He is still proud that he could pick up to 480 pounds of cotton a day and that his cousin and he could team up to pick a bale (900 lbs) in a day.
He bought his first guitar with a month's worth of earnings at age 12 for about $15.
He used to play guitar on Saturdays on the corner of Church & 2nd Street in Mineola. When he played gospel music, he would often get a pat on the back and told that he would be good one day. However, when he played the blues, he would often get a tip. The totals of his tips often amounted to more than he earned all week picking cotton.
His uncle was boxer, Sonny Liston.
His nickname BB actually began while he was a DJ for a radio station in Memphis.
He named his guitar Lucille after almost losing his life by going back into a club in Twist Arkansas to rescue it from a fire. That fight occurred during one of his performances in the 50's and the fight was over a woman named, Lucille. One of the guys fighting accidently kicked over a kerosene lamp.
Frank Sinatra used to help him get into 'white' clubs.
In 2003 Rolling Stone Magazine named him the third greatest guitar player ever.
He has 14 Grammy Awards and was also given a Lifetime Achiement Award
Voted a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 1987.
Given the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006.
Has fathered 15 children.
Has given over 15,000 music performances
Is a licensed pilot
He has honorary doctorates from Yale & Brown Universities.
Still gives over 100 performances per year.
Just released a new CD last month - 'One Kind Favor'
2 days ago The BB King Museum opened.
Has a web site
No one has done more as a true ambassador for the blues.
Happy well deserved 83rd Birthday and a personal thanks from one (me) of your billion upon billions of fans.
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Comments (6)
Party on !
I only knew that Elvis died on mine.
(and I hated mine while growing up, because it meant summer vacation was almost over and it was time to get ready to go back to school)