Early Life
Where was B.B. King raised?
On a cotton plantation in Mississippi
How old was B.B. King during his last concert?
89 years old
Other than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, what other two hall of fames was King inducted into?
Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and Official Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame
What is King's biggest pop hit song?
The Thrill Is Gone
What is B.B. King considered the king of?
The King of the Blues
How did King gain his nickname, 'Blues Boy' (B.B.)?
By working at a Memphis radio station as a singer and disc jockey (DJ).
What was the name of King's famous guitar?
Lucille
Who awarded King the Presidential of Freedom?
George W. Bush
What band did B.B. King open for in concert connecting him to rock audiences?
Rolling Stones
How many kids did King have?
15
Who taught B.B. King to play the guitar?
King's local minister, Reverend Archie Fair
Did King prefer chord playing or single note playing?
Single note playing
How many Grammy's (roughly) has King won?
At least 15 Grammy's
What was King's first hit song?
Three O'Clock Blues
How many B.B. King's Blues Clubs did King open across the US?
9
Where would King play music while beginning his music career?
On street corners, churches, and juke joints/bars/clubs
What were some distinctive aspects of King's guitar playing?
Fluid string bending, vibrato, and staccato picking style
How many colleges/universities has King earned honorary doctorates from?
At least 20
Roughly how many albums has King released over his life?
Over 60 albums
What instrument did King redefine and revolutionize for future generations?
Electric guitar
Why was King released from service in the US Army?
King was considered essential to the war economy as a tractor driver
Roughly how many concerts did King average per year?
Over 200 concerts on average every year
When was B.B. King inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
1987
What is King's most popular album in which he collaborated with Eric Clapton?
Riding with the King
What was King's lasting effect on the blues?
King brought blues into mainstream music crossing racial divides.