Riley B. King, better known as B.B. King, was a towering figure in the world of blues music, revered for his soulful voice, masterful guitar skills, and profound influence on the genre. Born on September 16, 1925, in Itta Bena, Mississippi, King’s childhood was marked by the hardships of rural life in the segregated South.
Growing up on a cotton plantation, King was introduced to music at an early age, first singing in the church choir and later learning to play the guitar. His early influences included blues legends like T-Bone Walker and Lonnie Johnson, whose recordings he listened to on the radio.
B.B. King, born Riley B. King on September 16, 1925, in Itta Bena, Mississippi, is widely regarded as one of the greatest blues musicians of all time. The “B.B.” in his name stands for “Blues Boy,” a moniker he earned during his early radio appearances.
B.B. King’s guitar, famously named Lucille, played a pivotal role in his career. The story goes that he named his guitars Lucille after a woman whose fight over a man led to a barroom brawl and a fire. He narrowly escaped the flames with his guitar, and since then, all his guitars have been named Lucille.
In the world of blues music, few names hold as much reverence and admiration as B.B. King. Born as Riley B. King on September 16, 1925, in the heart of Mississippi, this legendary musician would go on to become a pioneer of the genre, inspiring countless artists and touching the hearts of millions worldwide. From his humble beginnings to his rise to stardom, let’s explore the extraordinary biography of B.B. King and uncover the story behind the man who earned the title “The King of Blues.”
