B.B. King

Definition

B.B. King, born Riley B. King, was an influential American blues musician, singer, and songwriter known for his expressive guitar playing and distinctive vocal style. Often referred to as the 'King of Blues,' his work significantly shaped the evolution of blues music and laid the groundwork for the emergence of rhythm and blues, bridging the gap between traditional blues and modern R&B.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. B.B. King was born on September 16, 1925, in Itta Bena, Mississippi, and he began playing guitar at a young age while working as a sharecropper.
2. He developed a unique style characterized by his expressive string bends and vibrato, which influenced countless musicians across various genres.
3. B.B. King recorded over 50 albums throughout his career and won 15 Grammy Awards, cementing his legacy in the music industry.
4. His performances often featured call-and-response patterns between his voice and guitar, a technique that became a hallmark of rhythm and blues music.
5. King's ability to blend blues with elements of jazz and rock contributed to the broader appeal of R&B, helping to shape the genre during the mid-20th century.

Review Questions

• How did B.B. King's guitar playing style influence the development of rhythm and blues music?
  • B.B. King's guitar playing style was marked by expressive techniques such as string bends and vibrato, which added emotional depth to his performances. These techniques not only defined his sound but also inspired many artists within the R&B genre to incorporate similar expressive styles into their own music. By bridging the gap between traditional blues and modern R&B, King's approach helped elevate the emotional resonance of rhythm and blues.
• In what ways did B.B. King's personal experiences shape his music and lyrical themes?
  • B.B. King's personal experiences growing up in Mississippi as a sharecropper deeply influenced his music and lyrics, often reflecting themes of hardship, love, and resilience. His life experiences allowed him to convey authentic emotions through his songs, making them relatable to a wide audience. This authenticity resonated not only in the blues genre but also contributed to the development of R&B by addressing universal themes that connected with listeners.
• Evaluate B.B. King's impact on both blues music and the evolution of rhythm and blues as genres over time.
  • B.B. King's impact on blues music is profound; he not only popularized electric blues but also set standards for guitar playing that influenced generations of musicians across genres. His seamless blending of blues with jazz and rock elements helped define rhythm and blues as it evolved in the mid-20th century. King's innovative techniques and emotive performances contributed to the expansion of R&B's appeal beyond its traditional roots, creating a lasting legacy that continues to influence artists today.

Related terms

Lucille: The name of B.B. King's beloved guitar, which he named after a woman he met during a fight in a dance hall, symbolizing his deep connection to music.

Blues Scale: A musical scale that is essential in blues music, characterized by its flattened notes that give it a unique sound often used by B.B. King in his guitar solos.

Electric Blues: A genre of music that emerged from traditional blues, incorporating electric instruments; B.B. King was a pioneer in this style, popularizing its sound.