On the occasion of King’s 94th birth anniversary, here is a way to celebrate his legacy.
( Photo: wikimediacommons)
The King of Blues, Riley B King, turned 94 on Monday. An American singer-songwriter and guitarist, King is credited to have introduced a type of ‘guitar solo’ practice based on string bending and vibrato that had considerable impact on electric blues guitarists that followed him.
One of the most influential blues musicians of all time, King began his career in radio and barrel houses/ juke joints popular in Southeastern part of the USA at the time.
Born on 16 September on a cotton plantation in Mississippi, King was a tireless performer whose prolific career saw him giving 200 concerts per year even in his 70’s.
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On the occasion of King’s 94th birth anniversary, here is a way to celebrate his legacy.
Some of his most popular and iconic songs include;
“The Thrill is Gone”
By far, the most popular and well-known songs of King is ,”The Thrill is Gone” which also appears in the Google Doodle today.
“Three O’Clock Blues”
Lowell Fulson’s cover version of this song sung by King became his first biggest hit, making him one of the most important names in R&B music in the 1950’s, topping the genre’s charts for five weeks straight.
“Rock Me Baby”
Released in 1964, this number became the first Top 40 hit for King, and was staple for live concerts for about half a century.
“To Know You Is To Love You”
Written by Stevie Wonder and Syreeta Wright, this song by BB King made to the Billboard’s list of top 100 songs in 1973.
“Hummingbird”
BB King loved Leon Russel’s song “Hummingbird” and recorded it on his 1970’s album Indianola Mississippi Seeds. This song also featured in Billboards chartbuster list on August 22, 1970.
“Woke Up This Morning”
https://youtu.be/EwLrj6SkIzY
Another short classic by King, this hit was written by him after he divorced his wife, Martha Denton in 1952.
“Why I Sing the Blues”
An understated political song that called out the indignities of Black American history, urban poverty and how age( King was then in his 40’s) was catching up with him.”Why I Sing The Blues” appeared in King’s 1969 album Live & Well.
King won 15 Grammy Awards including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987.
Google celebrated the legendary icon’s birthday through a doodle created by artist Steve Spencer and animator Nayeli Lavanderos.
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