B.B. King

Definition

B.B. King was an influential American blues musician and guitarist, often referred to as the 'King of Blues.' His unique style of playing, characterized by expressive string bends and vibrato, helped shape the electric blues genre and left a lasting impact on rock and roll. King's ability to convey deep emotions through his music made him a pivotal figure in bridging traditional Delta blues with modern urban styles.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. B.B. King was born on September 16, 1925, in Itta Bena, Mississippi, and began his musical career in the late 1940s.
2. His first big hit, 'Three O'Clock Blues,' reached number one on the Billboard R&B charts in 1949 and established him as a prominent figure in the blues scene.
3. King's innovative guitar playing style involved using his fingers instead of a pick, which allowed him to create a more nuanced sound.
4. He was known for his powerful stage presence and frequently performed over 300 shows a year throughout his career, becoming a global ambassador for the blues genre.
5. B.B. King received numerous awards and honors throughout his lifetime, including 15 Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Review Questions

• How did B.B. King's guitar playing techniques influence the development of blues music?
  • B.B. King's guitar playing techniques significantly influenced blues music by introducing expressive string bends and unique vibrato that conveyed deep emotions. His style merged traditional Delta blues with modern electric sounds, creating a new standard for guitarists in the genre. This impact is evident in how subsequent generations of musicians adopted his techniques and incorporated them into their own playing, thereby shaping the evolution of both blues and rock music.
• Discuss the cultural significance of B.B. King in bridging traditional blues with contemporary genres.
  • B.B. King's cultural significance lies in his role as a bridge between traditional blues and contemporary genres like rock and roll. By incorporating elements from both styles in his performances and recordings, he not only preserved the essence of the blues but also introduced it to wider audiences. His collaborations with rock musicians further solidified this connection, showing how blues can influence various musical forms while reaching new listeners across different generations.
• Evaluate B.B. King's contributions to the blues genre and how they impacted other musical styles worldwide.
  • B.B. King's contributions to the blues genre are immense, as he not only popularized the electric blues sound but also set standards for emotional expression through music. His innovative guitar work inspired countless musicians across various genres worldwide, including rock, jazz, and pop. By bringing the essence of blues to mainstream audiences through international tours and recordings, King helped lay the groundwork for future artists to explore and incorporate blues influences into their own music, ensuring its legacy continues globally.

Related terms

Blues Scale: A musical scale often used in blues music that includes specific notes that create a distinct sound, commonly incorporating flattened third, fifth, and seventh degrees.

Lucille: The name of B.B. King's famous guitar, a Gibson ES-355, which he named after a woman who inspired him and has become a significant part of his identity as a musician.

Electric Blues: A subgenre of blues music that utilizes electric instruments, particularly the guitar, allowing for greater volume and more diverse sonic textures.