The legendary ‘King of Blues‘ who has been in the music scene since 1940s died in his sleep in his home in Las Vegas on Thursday, 14th May, as reported by BBC News.
According to the report, BB King had been suffering ill health in recent months and was recently taken to the hospital for a diabetes-related illness.
During his lifetime, he worked with other legendary entertainers such as Eric Clapton and U2. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him at No. 6 on its 2011 list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time
King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. King was also inducted into 2014 class of the R&B Music Hall of Fame. In 1990, King was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President George H.W. Bush. In 2006, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest award for a civilian from President George W. Bush.
Among those that had sent their obituaries are his one time partner, Buddy Gray who instagramed the following message:
“BB King was the greatest guy I ever met.”
“The tone he got out of that guitar, the way he shook his left wrist, the way he squeezed the strings… man, he came out with that and it was all new to whole guitar playin’ world.”
“He could play so smooth, he didn’t have to put on a show. The way BB did it is the way we all do it now. He was my best friend and father to us all.”
