Awesome Fat Guy of the Week

I like the blues.Well actually I like B.B. King. I enjoy the blues. I don't seek it out, but when I hear it I enjoy it. Except when B.B. King is playing. There is something about the way he sings and plays that connects with me. I could listen to the man for hours.

 Riley King was born September 16, 1925. He was born in a small cabin on a cotton plantation outside of Berclair, near Indianola, Mississippi. When he was four his father abandoned him and his mother. His mother remarried but was too poor to raise her son. King ended up living with his maternal grandmother.

At the age of 12 King bought his first guitar for $15. In 1943, King left Kilmichael to work as a tractor driver and play guitar. Eventually he found his way to Memphis. He didn't stay long. Over the next few years he performed throughout West Memphis, Arkansas and appeared on the legendary Memphis radio station WDIA.

Up until this point he performed under his given name. It wasn't until he was given the nickname "Beale Street Blues Boy", which was later shortened to "B.B."

B.B. King signed his first record contract in 1949 with LA based RPM Records. After the initial recordings King assembled his own band the B.B. King Review. That same year during a performance in Twist, Arkansas a fire broke out. As was normal at the time a half full barrel of kerosene was lit, to warm the audience. A fight began between two men. These men knocked the barrel over starting the fire. After the evacuation King realised  he forgot his beloved $30 guitar. The next day, King learned that fight had been over a woman. A woman named Lucille. King named that guitar and every one he owned since Lucille. As a reminder to never do anything as stupid as run into a burning building or fight over a woman.

I could go on but the man has had a career that extended to 2005. In 2006 started a farewell tour. After which he performed rarely. All told the man has performed over 15,000 times.

That image should tell you all you need to know. B.B. King is so cool Eric Clapton is his chauffeur. I will leave you with a few more videos of King doing what he does. As always if you want to know more check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bb_king and B.B. King on YouTube. Do yourself a favor and have a listen.