10 Facts about BB King
Find out the famous songwriter, blues singer and guitarist in Facts about BB King. Riley B. King was born on 16 September 1925. He passed away on 14th May 2015. He used the stage name BB King. In Gibson’s “Top 50 Guitarists of All Time”, this man was ranked on no. 17. On the 2011 list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time, he was ranked number 6. In 1987, his name was inducted on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Check out more interesting facts about BB King below:
Facts about BB King 1: the blues musician
BB King is one of the most famous blues musicians in the world. Due to his influential music, he was called as the King of the Blues. He also included in Three Kings of the Blue Guitars along with Freddie King and Albert King.
Facts about BB King 2: the popularity
There is no need to wonder that King was very popular. It was reported that he appeared in 342 shows in 1956. In his 70s, he appeared in more than 200 concerts every year. Check Avicii facts here.
BB King Facts
Facts about BB King 3: President George H.W. Bush
President George H.W. Bush awarded BB King with National Medal of Arts in 1990. The president also gave him Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006.
Facts about BB King 4: death
It was very sad to know that King had to leave us. On 14th May 2015, he passed away because of the diabetes complication in Las Vegas. He was 89 years old at that time.
Facts about BB King
Facts about BB King 5: the place of birth
As I have stated before BB King was born on 16 September 1925 in Berclair. It was a cotton plantation located near Itta Bena, Mississippi.
Facts about BB King 6: parents
He was the son of Nora Ella and Albert King. His parents worked as sharecroppers. Even though he was born in Berclair, he always considered Indianola, Mississippi as his homeland.
BB King
Facts about BB King 7: Elnora Farr
Elnora Farr was his maternal grandmother. He was raised by Farr when he was four years old because his mother left him and his father for another man.
Facts about BB King 8: the young life
When he was young, King often sang on a gospel choir in Kilmichael. He had his first guitar in the price of $15.00. He bought it when he was 12. He was a self taught guitarist.
BB King Pic
Facts about BB King 9: BB name
He was initially worked as a singer and disc jockey at WDIA. He earned the name Beale Street Blues Boy. Then he chose the shortened version of Blues Boy or BB. Get facts about Bars and Melody here.
Facts about BB King 10: TV commercials
He appeared in some TV commercials such as OneTouch Ultra and Toyota Camry.
BB King Guitar
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