Undeniably, the most influential blues guitarist of the modern era |
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B.B. has carved a niche in our music culture that is unequaled among blues guitarists. |
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Beale Street Memphis Juke Joints and B.B. King |
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Back in the early 1970's, when we (Three Dog Night) performed at the Grammy Awards in Hollywood, B.B. was there and I spoke with him for a while after the show. He said it was his birthday and when I asked him his age, he smiled and said "28". Actually, it was more like 40. We laughed about it together. At that time, he was being acknowledged for his hit single, "Thrill is Gone". It was, in fact, the pinnacle of his single releases. From that point on in B.B.'s career, his music took on exciting new turns in structure and form. New chord progressions that would have never been found in his earlier offerings, yet, still holding true to his blues style. There are many good blues guitarists, but B.B. is acclaimed by most as the "King" and all pay tribute accordingly. He has influenced all of us, one way or another. His use of the "stinging tonic note" is legendary, and still paving new ground in it's many different forms. I crossed paths with B.B. once again in the early 1990's, about 1993, I think. It was in Memphis, TN. We were in town for a concert appearance and I was doing my "hang", down on Beale street and enjoying the red beans and rice at the Rum Boogie Cafe, on the corner of 3rd and Beale streets. Kind of a "Hard Rock Cafe" motif on a Memphis blues level. They asked me to sign a guitar for their wall, so I autographed an acoustic guitar and it's still there, in a special case up over the bar. Drop in sometime. A cool place. Tell 'em I sent you. A block up the street at 2nd and Beale was the new club called, "B.B. King's Blues Club". As I understand it, B.B. actually has about a 10% interest in the establishment, for using his name. In the afternoon, I was walking by the famous Peabody Hotel. You know, the one where they let the ducks come down the stairs every morning, and go into the fountain in the lobby. The same hotel where they use to have live radio broadcasts, featuring big bands in the 1920's and 30's, from the ballroom on top. While walking, I saw an all black tour bus, parked out front. It was B.B.'s. Shortly thereafter, I met B.B.'s daughter, Shirley. A pretty gal, with an outgoing personality. She told me that she was a singer and worked in the Chicago area. She invited us down to see her Dad at the "Blues" club on Beale street. Turns out that one of his sons was the leader of the band, and they would be doing the grand opening of the club that very night. Former 3DN bass player, Richard Campbell and I went to see him and his band that night. What a great evening. B.B. sang and played marvelously. We hung out awhile afterwards, and chatted briefly with him. A truly generous and sweet man. Proving my theory that "the really GOOD players are, almost always, the nice guys". It's also generally true that it's the "wanna be's" or "almost's" that have their head up their butt, and display an undeniable love affair with themselves. B.B. is a killer, but, a sweetheart as well. It was my great honor to rub shoulders with him one more time, in our mutual arena, the music world. He is in his 70's now and playing better than ever. You may have other blues guitar favorites, but you cannot deny that B.B. is the King and he paved the way for us all. Oh, and another thing, HE AIN'T DONE YET! |