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Post by newey on May 15, 2015 7:58:42 GMT -5
Just heard the news of the death of BB King. I'll have to add him to the list of the heroes of my youth who I never got to see play live. BB was one who let the guitar do the talkin' . . .
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Post by haydukej on May 15, 2015 10:28:11 GMT -5
Sad indeed. I haven't fact-checked MSN, but they state For more than half a century King averaged 275 shows per year; in 1956 alone, he played 342 one-nighters. Very impressive numbers that would take its toll on anybody. I suppose it's time for some Cook County.
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Post by ashcatlt on May 15, 2015 10:31:39 GMT -5
I posted this on my Facebook, but it kinda fits here. I was just starting to play when I first saw this movie, and I still laugh every time I hear one of the greatest guitarists of all time say "I'm not good with chords so...get somebody else to do that."
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Post by wolf on May 15, 2015 20:33:48 GMT -5
According to Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B.B._King B.B. King's favorite singer was Frank Sinatra, who by an eerie coincidence also died on May 14th (1998). Wikipedia states that It is sad that Mr. King has passed on. I'd have to say he was probably the most influential guitar player of all time. He influenced everyone.
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Post by cynical1 on May 17, 2015 11:33:08 GMT -5
The saddest part of losing BB King is his generosity and humility. A lot of blues musicians over the years got their first exposure because of opportunities BB King offered to open for him. All those shows brought more than a few struggling youngsters their first shot at better venues, along with the validity that comes with opening for someone like BB King.
He also kept what most blues musicians would consider a large band working and fed for decades.
He was of the old school that understood the only way to keep the blues alive is by bringing the next generation into the fold and encouraging them along.
He never palmed himself off as a virtuoso. He was who he was and that was more than enough. Very few musicians could work a room as well as he could.
The last King is now dead. The thrill is still there.
Via con dios.
Cynical One
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