Memorial Tribute Concert Celebrating B.B. King's 100th Birthday Featuring U2's The Edge, Joe Bonamassa, and Other Prominent Musicians Honoring the Legendary Bluesman
In the world of blues music, few names are as iconic as B.B. King. The legendary musician, often referred to as the 'King of the Blues', passed away in May 2015 at the age of 89. His influence on the genre and popular music as a whole is undeniable.
The B.B. King biopic is currently in development, with producer Marc Canton and Benford leading the project through Benford & Canton Studios. Although guitarist Joe Bonamassa is involved in a tribute music project, he is not specifically listed as part of the biopic's production team.
B.B. King's career spanned over six decades, during which he played for numerous heads of state. He performed for three U.S. presidents, Queen Elizabeth II, and even Pope John Paul II. Even on his deathbed, suffering from various maladies including Type 2 diabetes and dementia, King was insistent that he needed to get back out on the road.
In his early years, King played 250-300 concerts a year, including an astounding 342 shows in 1956. As he approached his 80s, his concert pace slowed to 175 a year, but he was still averaging 75 concerts annually in the last five years of his life. One of his most successful albums, "Riding With the King", a double-platinum collaboration with Eric Clapton, was released at the advanced age of 74.
King's musical influences were much broader than those of most prominent blues artists. His inspirations included jazz guitarists Lonnie Johnson and Charlie Christian, the big band stylings of Duke Ellington, jump blues king Louis Jordan, balladeers like Nat King Cole and the Ink Spots, and even cowboy singer Gene Autry.
During the early-to-mid 1960s, King and his large, suit-clad, horn-laden band were still toiling in relative obscurity while more down-home, stripped-down blues artists were getting mainstream exposure. It was more than 15 years before he broke through with "mainstream" (i.e., white) audiences with the hit single "The Thrill Is Gone" in 1970, earning him his first Grammy.
King's unique and unmistakable guitar style was admired by many, including U2's The Edge. Tony Coleman, a Black drummer 30 years younger than King who joined his band in 1978, recalled that King taught him patience and how to think a little bit instead of react.
B.B. King's estate has launched branded products ranging from clothing and guitar picks to a signature line of bourbon and whiskey. His 1965 album "Live at the Regal" is now widely regarded as a seminal blues classic. King was awarded a total of 15 Grammys, including a lifetime achievement honor.
King regularly endured indignities crisscrossing the Jim Crow South, including one incident where two band members were attacked with a chain and another was stabbed. Despite these challenges, King's spirit and love for music never wavered. His legacy continues to inspire musicians and fans alike.
In the biopic being developed by Canton and Benford, we will undoubtedly get a deeper insight into the life and career of this musical giant. Until then, we can continue to celebrate and appreciate the music of B.B. King, the 'King of the Blues'.
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