B. B. King, whose real name is Riley B. King, was born in 1925 in Mississippi. He has become one of the most influential artists in music history, with a career spanning more than 50 years and over 50 albums to his credit.
King was born into a poor family and began playing guitar at a young age. He was inspired by artists such as T-Bone Walker and Lonnie Johnson, and soon began performing in local clubs. Over the years, he developed a unique style that blended traditional blues with elements of jazz and gospel.
King is perhaps best known for his legendary guitar, which he named “Lucille”. Legend has it that King began using this name after witnessing a nightclub fire where he was playing. He was saved from the fire by a woman named Lucille, and he vowed never to leave his guitar in the hands of another person. Since then, every guitar King has played has been named Lucille.
In addition to being an outstanding musician, King was also a great advocate for civil rights. He used his music to raise awareness of injustice and discrimination, and participated in several marches and demonstrations for equal rights.
King died in 2015 at the age of 89, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the music world. His guitar, Lucille, has become a symbol of the strength, resilience and passion that drove his life and career.
The Live at the Regal album
BB King's ‘Live At The Regal' album is considered one of the best live albums of all time. Recorded on November 21, 1964 at the Regal Theater in Chicago, the album captures the power and emotion of BB King's performance at its peak.
The album's sound is raw and energetic, with roaring electric guitars and booming horns. BB King is at the top of his game, playing incredibly expressive guitar solos and singing with obvious passion and intensity.
The album begins with an elegant introduction, then BB King takes the stage with ‘Every Day I Have the Blues'. The crowd is electrified from the start, singing and clapping throughout the song. From there, BB King went on to deliver hits like “Sweet Little Angel”, “How Blue Can You Get?” and “Please Love Me”.
Perhaps the highlight of the album is the performance of “The Thrill Is Gone”, a song that has become a BB King classic. The live version of the song is particularly moving, with BB King playing a poignant guitar solo and singing with palpable sadness.
Throughout the album, BB King shows his mastery of the blues, moving from the groovy ‘Worry, Worry' to the fast and furious ‘Woke Up This Morning'. There are also softer moments, such as the ballad “Don't Answer the Door”, which allow BB King to show off his velvety voice.
How Blue Can You Get ?
“How Blue Can You Get?” is a classic blues song that was popularised by BB King in 1964. The song has become a staple in BB King's repertoire, with many blues musicians also performing it over the years.
The song tells the story of a lover who has been betrayed by his beloved. The chorus, “I've been downhearted baby, ever since the day we met”, perfectly sums up the sense of despair and sadness that pervades the song.
BB King's guitar playing on “How Blue Can You Get? The notes he plays are moving and expressive, adding even more emotion to the song. There are also moments where BB King plays his guitar more aggressively, accentuating the frustration and anger that lurks beneath the surface.
You're evil when I'm with you
And you are jealous when we're apart
Yes, I said you're evil
You're so evil when I'm with you, baby
BB King's voice is also incredibly powerful on “How Blue Can You Get? He sings with a passion and intensity that captivates the listener and conveys the emotion of the song. The lyrics, “I gave you a brand new Ford / You said ‘I want a Cadillac'”, are particularly poignant when sung by BB King.
Where to listen to Live at the Regal?
- Listen to Live at the Regal on Spotify
- Listen to Live at the Regal on Deezer
- Listen to Live at the Regal on Youtube