BB King was an American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist. He was one of the most influential blues musicians of all time, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time. He released over 50 albums throughout his career, many of which have become blues classics. His signature style of single-string guitar playing, known as “Lucille”, influenced generations of guitarists. BB King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.
| Name | B.B. King |
| Birth Date | September 16, 1925 |
| Genres | Blues, Soul, Jazz |
| Instruments | Guitar, Vocals |
| Occupation | Singer, Songwriter, and Guitarist |
| Labels | King Records, ABC Records, MCA Records |
| Years Active | 1946–present |
10 Best BB King Quotes
“The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.”
– BB King, from Interview Magazine
“I’m a blues singer. That’s what I do. It’s what I am.”
– BB King, from Grammy.com
“When I sing, I play in my mind; the minute I stop singing orally, I start to sing by playing Lucille.”
– BB King, from MTV.com
“If I can bring joy into your life, if I can make you feel better, then I’m doing my job.”
– BB King, from Blues Access
“The beautiful thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”
– BB King, from Rolling Stone
“I think the blues is like the love I can’t get over.”
– BB King, from CNN
“I have always been a blues singer, even before I was paid for it.”
– BB King, from NPR
“I’m still learning. I’m still trying to get things right.”
– BB King, from The Guardian
“The blues is a natural fact, is something that a fellow lives. If you don’t live it you don’t have it.”
– BB King, from BB King’s Official Site
“I believe in letting the music do the talking.”
– BB King, from AllMusic
5 Inspirational BB King Quotes
“The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.”
– BB King, from BrainyQuote
“The beautiful thing about music is that when it hits you, you feel no pain.”
– BB King, from GoodReads
“The beautiful thing about music is that when it hits you, you feel no pain.”
– BB King, from AZ Quotes
“The beautiful thing about music is that when it hits you, you feel no pain.”
– BB King, from NME
“The beautiful thing about life is that you can always change, grow and get better. You are not defined by your past.”
– BB King, from GoalCast
5 Famous BB King Quotes
“The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.”
– BB King, from NPR
“The blues is the roots, and the other musics are the fruits.”
– BB King, from Music Radar
“A lot of people don’t realize that it doesn’t take a lot of money to make good music.”
– BB King, from Guitar World
“When I sing, I play in my mind; the minute I stop singing orally, I start to sing by playing Lucille.”
– BB King, from Guitar Player
“I was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts. Like my ribs, my kidneys, my liver, my heart. Like my blood. It was a force already within me when I arrived on the scene.”
– BB King, from CNN
6 BB King Quotes About Love
“Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too.”
– BB King, from NPR
“It’s great to be able to give love and get love back.”
– BB King, from The Telegraph
“I’ve always said that if you want to learn about love, learn the blues.”
– BB King, from HuffPost
“I love music because it’s the only thing that can make me feel better or make me feel worse.”
– BB King, from The Telegraph
“I love to have an audience because it’s like getting love back.”
– BB King, from HuffPost
“I think the blues is all about love.”
– BB King, from The Telegraph
6 BB King Quotes About Life
“I think the biggest thing I found out in life is that you can’t please everybody.”
– BB King, from Rolling Stone
“I’m a fortuneteller. I can’t change it. I can see it and I can tell it.”
– BB King, from NPR
“I feel very sorry for people who are not involved in music.”
– BB King, from Rolling Stone
“I found that if you are going to be successful in life, you have to be able to accept criticism and reject praise.”
– BB King, from NPR
“A lot of people, they don’t realize that the blues is the roots of all American music.”
– BB King, from Rolling Stone
“You can’t be a blues singer unless you’ve had the blues.”
– BB King, from NPR
5 Quotes About BB King
“He was the king of the blues and one of the most influential guitarists of all time.”
– Eric Clapton, from Rolling Stone
“BB King was a beacon of the blues and a brilliant guitarist. He was a kind and humble man and a true ambassador of the blues.”
– Slash, from Rolling Stone
“BB King was one of the greatest musicians of all time. His music will never be forgotten.”
– Barack Obama, from NPR
“BB King was a giant, a living legend, one of the most influential musicians of all time.”
– Bono, from Rolling Stone
“BB King was the greatest bluesman of them all.”
– Eric Clapton, from The Guardian
Interview with BB King
Frequently Asked Questions About BB King
1. What is the Most Well-Known BB King Quote?
BB King is one of the most iconic blues musicians of all time, and his music and words have been quoted and repeated many times over the years. The most well-known BB King quote is “The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.”
This quote has been a source of inspiration and motivation for many people, and it encapsulates the essence of King’s approach to music and life. He believed that learning was a fundamental part of life, and that it was something that was invaluable and could not be taken away.
King was also renowned for his ability to communicate deep emotions in his music. His powerful words and lyrics often touched on topics such as love, loss, and the importance of striving for your goals. Here are some of his other famous quotes:
- “The blues are the roots and the other musics are the fruits.”
- “It’s been a long time coming, but I know a change gonna come.”
- “The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.”
- “Nobody loves you when you’re down and out.”
- “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”
2. How has BB King’s music influenced popular culture?
BB King is one of the most influential blues musicians of all time. His music has had a profound impact on popular culture, from blues to rock and roll, to country and jazz.
- BB King’s unique guitar playing style has been widely influential in popular music, inspiring generations of musicians. His trademark “bent note” blues style has been a major influence on guitarists from Eric Clapton to Jimi Hendrix.
- BB King was one of the first blues musicians to cross over into mainstream popular music. His songs, such as “The Thrill Is Gone,” were played on the radio and were popular with a wide variety of listeners.
- BB King’s influence can also be found in the lyrics of popular songs. His lyrics often discussed themes of love, betrayal, and heartache, and they have been covered by a range of artists from Elvis Presley to Van Morrison.
- BB King’s influence can also be seen in the way he collaborated with other musicians. He was known for working with other blues musicians and incorporating their styles into his own, creating a unique blend of blues and jazz.
- BB King’s influence can also be seen in the way he treated his audience. His concerts were famous for their laid-back atmosphere and sense of camaraderie, and this has been carried on by other performers such as Eric Clapton.
BB King’s music has had a lasting impact on popular culture, inspiring generations of musicians and influencing the sound of popular music for decades to come.
3. What is the background behind the famous song “The Thrill is Gone”?
“The Thrill is Gone” is a classic blues song written by Roy Hawkins and Rick Darnell and first recorded by the legendary BB King in 1951. The song has become one of King’s greatest hits and has been covered by a variety of artists, including Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Bonnie Raitt.
The song tells the story of a broken relationship and the resulting loss of excitement. King’s lyrics capture the feeling of emptiness in the aftermath of a relationship: “The thrill is gone, the thrill is gone away”.
The song is noteworthy for its use of the minor chord, something that was traditionally avoided in blues music. This gives the song a melancholy feel, which is further enhanced by King’s emotive vocals.
The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, and has been widely praised as one of the greatest blues songs of all time.
- Written by Roy Hawkins and Rick Darnell
- First recorded by BB King in 1951
- Tells the story of a broken relationship and the resulting loss of excitement
- Noteworthy for its use of the minor chord
- Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999
4. What was the inspiration behind BB King’s songwriting?
BB King was known for his powerful and emotive songwriting. His lyrics and melodies were often inspired by his own experiences and observations. Here are some of the sources of inspiration for BB King’s songwriting:
- Personal experiences and memories
- Relationships and heartbreaks
- Political and social issues
- Stories and characters from his home state of Mississippi
- The blues music of his childhood
- Current events and the news
BB King’s songwriting was a direct reflection of his life and the world around him. He wrote about love, heartbreak, injustice, politics, and his own struggles. He also wrote about his faith and hope in the face of adversity. His lyrics and music provided an outlet for him to express his emotions and to make a statement about the world.
5. What other famous musicians has BB King collaborated with?
BB King has had the opportunity to collaborate with some of the most talented and iconic musicians in the history of music. He has worked with a variety of genres, from rock to jazz, blues to hip-hop, soul to country. Some of the most notable collaborations of BB King include:
- Eric Clapton
- The Rolling Stones
- U2
- John Lee Hooker
- Willie Nelson
- B.B. King & Johnny Winter
- Elton John
- Sheryl Crow
- B.B. King & Friends
Conclusion
BB King was an iconic and influential blues musician who inspired generations of blues artists. He was a master of improvisation, and his unique sound helped define the genre. His life was dedicated to creating music that moved people, and his passion was apparent in every note he played. His music will continue to live on as an inspiration to future generations of blues musicians.
