B.B. King

American blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter born September 16, 1925 near Itta Bena, Mississippi and died May 14, 2015, Las Vegas, Nevada. B.B. is an abbreviation for 'Blues Boy'. King is one of the most influential blues musicians of all time, earning the nickname "The King of the Blues." He is considered one of the "Three Kings of the Blues Guitar" (along with Albert King and Freddie King, none of whom are related). Since he started recording in the 1940s, he released over fifty albums. He previously worked as a tractor driver. In his youth, he played on street corners for dimes, and would sometimes play in as many as four towns a night. In 1947, he hitchhiked to Memphis, TN, to pursue his music career. In Memphis, B.B. stayed with his cousin Bukka White, one of the most celebrated blues performers of his time, who B.B. credits as one of his earliest mentors and teachers. King's first big break came in 1948 when he performed on Sonny Boy Williamson’s radio program on KWEM out of West Memphis. This radio performance led to steady engagements at the Sixteenth Avenue Grill in West Memphis and later to a ten-minute spot on the Memphis radio station WDIA. King's radio spot becom Also known as: B B King, B. B. "Blues Boy" King, B. B. 'Blues Boy' King, B. B. King, B. E. King From Discogs (free to use). Their entry