Blues Legend B.B. King Dead at 89

Las Vegas, NV – B.B. King, a man who influenced a generation of musicians, passed away in his sleep last night. King sold millions of records worldwide, was given the presidential Medal of Freedom and won 15 Grammys. He was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was rarely seen without Lucille – his guitar. B.B. King was 89 years old.

the following is from International Business Times

1. A Stage Name Is Born
Before he rocked the charts with his hits, he played the hits of others. King was a disc jockey in 1948 when he went under the name Beale Street Blues Boy. “Blues Boy” was eventually shortened to B.B.

2. His First Guitar
Although accounts differ as to just how he got his favorite instrument, one story goes that he bought his first guitar with only $15, a princely sum for a 12-year-old King in those days.

3. B.B. King Worked With Sam Phillips Early In His Career
Music fans will recognize the iconic producer behind the legendary Sun Records. The company produced many of rock 'n' roll’s first headliners including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis.

4. His Guitar Lucille
A brawl broke out and caused a fire at one of the clubs where King had just performed. He ran into the club to rescue his guitar and learned that the two men, who both died in the fire, started the fight over a woman named Lucille. King named his guitar Lucille in memory of the event.

5. King Crossed Over With The Help Of The Rolling Stones
The blues guitarist opened for the band during their 1969 tour. He won a Grammy the following year for one of the singles he was promoting on the road, “The Thrill Is Gone.”

6. He Would Fly To Perform Some Of His Shows
Until his manager stepped in and requested King take a co-pilot, B.B. King was a licensed aviator who sometimes flew to gigs. The age when the blues legend put down his wings? King was 70.