I've seen the guy live eight times, the first time in the early seventies, and the last about 2 years ago. I've seen him age into the elder statesman of the blues, a role he doesn't always seem comfortable with, but bears with dignity.

My best memory.... In Chicago late eighties. I can't remember who opened, they weren't bad but nothing special. And then, with barely a pause, a slow walking fat man came on stage, holding that signature Gibsons and cut into the opening bars of "How Blue Can You Get" before he even got near a mike. The place exploded, and he looked up, as though startled, acknowledged the crowd with a nod, and did his set. And another, and another, and another. As though he would never stop.

There are certainly better bluesmen. And there are certainly greater guitarists. And there are a lot better voices. But B.B. King is and remains something special.

His guitar style he self-describes as speaking in sentences, then thinking of something else to say. His voice that speaks from some deep, visceral part of the soul. Like Ray Charles, this guy is something that once heard live, is never forgotten.

"I bought you a six course dinner, you said thanks for the snack. I gave you seven children, now you want to give them back."

Here's the younger man....




And here's the old man, with a few friends

You've Just gotta give the man credit, after all he is the standard for electric blues. I really hope I get to see him live before he joins mr. reed, mr. hooker and johnson in the great beyond ( not that I believe in after life after all it's just an expression).

Think twice if you plan to go to there and interested in anything besides drinking or eating.

I have a lot of B. B. King stuff on the IPod and have attended his concerts. First class bluesman!

Did an incredible version of "Hold On, I'm coming" with Eric Clapton. Also, a lot of his older stuff is brilliant. The guitar at the start of "The Thrill is Gone" conjurs up the image on BB sitting in a smoky bar, feeling forlorn over lost love.

The thrill is not gone.

Although BB King was and still is a great performer,and deserves his well-earned place in the Blues Pantheon,he is also an incredibly predictable guitar player.Almost every solo sounds the same.

Very humbling to hear him live. He had the most amazingly emotive guitar tone I have ever heard. He had one small combo amp on a stool with one mic pointed at the speaker. The sound filled the theatre, made me realize I have a long way to go on the guitar. :-)

Very expressive style and the best looking guitar in the world!

Riley B. King will go down as one of the greatest influences in music. His vocal style and the way he plays Lucille is truly his own. The reviewer who said he doesn't like outdated music obviously does not know the impact or influence that B.B King and blues in general have had on music particulary rock n roll. It was men like B.B who helped paved the way. If you've never really experienced B.B, then get one of his Best Of or Greatest Hits CD's there are plenty. After that some of his great CD's are 1. How Blue Can You Get: Live Performances 1964-1994. Has one of the best performances of Rock Me Baby and The Thrill is Gone 2. Do The Boogie- B.B King's Early 50's Classics- a gem of a CD- hear B.B in his early years 3. Completely Well- this one had The Thrill is Gone on it. Good Cd with lots of power and emotion 4. Blues Summit- B.B singing duets with his friends 5. Great Moments with B.B King- lots of good B.B 6. Riding with the King- B.B & Eric Clapton- energetic and driven Listen to these CD's or any B.B King song, record, or CD and you will know why he is the king of the blues.

THE LIVING LEGEND! A great and humble human being as well. The ultimate combination of great voice and great guitar. Still entertaining in person today.

We'll never see another BB King again.

Age is not slowing down this blues great! We love you B.B.! Keep playing Lucille.

B.B. King is almost like a mythic figure now, as many artists flock to play with the "King." He is easily as revered as Les Paul and can hold his own on guitar with just about anyone (even though I read somewhere that he doesn't know chords!) Long live the King!

This man lives the blues. His real name is Riley King but very early in life they started calling him "Blues Boy" and after that he became famous as B.B. King. His guitar is as famous as he is. You don't think of B.B. without thinking of Lucille. He has been with many women in his storied life, but he has always been faithful to Lucille. I hope he can continue to play for a long time.

One has to recognize B.B. King as one of the most distinctive blues musicians in terms of his guitar and vocal sound. He's in his seventies now - I've seen him live twice in the past couple of years and he puts more energy into his performances than many of the younger artists, for example, Oasis. (Although I cringe at the idea of even mentioning Oasis in the same sentence as B.B. King, since they are by no means comparable). Long live the King!!

Koko Taylor, Buddy Guy, and BB King in one concert? Amazing. Each of these great blues artists could be headlining their own concert in their own right. All three were active performers interacting with the crowd, joking around, improving lyrics, etc. Buddy even got up and walked through the aisles a few times. What a package!

If you listen to B.B. King's "Live at the Regal" CD and don't think he deserves a "5" rating, then there's something wrong with you. This man is a living legend who has profoundly influenced multiple generations of musicians. Take Eric Clapton, for instance. Clapton, who has influenced countless musicians himself, points to B.B. King as his biggest hero. I was lucky enough to see King perform in Atlanta a few years ago, and it was an amazing experience. If you want an easy introduction to his music, start with something like "Blues Summit," where he does duets with other artists. But when you're really ready to jump in, pick up "Live at the Regal," his best recording.

The Master! His trademark style and guitar Lucille are recognizable anywhere.

I love B.B. King. He's at one with his music and his guitar. That's why he gave her a name.

B.B. King can get down on the guitar.