The thrill is most certainly gone tonight…
Legendary blues guitarist BB King, born Riley B. King, has passed away at age 89. The guitarist had been suffering from diabetes-related illnesses for the past several months and opted to stay under hospice care in his home in Las Vegas. He passed there last night.
Hailed by many as one of the greatest guitar players ever, his catalog of work spanned dozens of studio albums over decades, earning him the title “The King Of Blues”. He was also known for his incredibly touring regimen, which saw him play hundreds of shows every year since the 70’s.
King was a strong supporter of the Little Kids Rock nonprofit organization, which helped to provide free musical instruments to children in underprivileged public schools through the United States.
As a guitarist, King’s work has been incredibly influential on much of my playing and writing. I saw him in concert in the early 2000’s and was blown away by his charisma, his charm, and his presence. Today is truly an incredibly sad day for musicians all over.
Rest in peace, Mr. King. Thank you for everything.