<back - BB KING - King of the Blues - Born Riley B. King on September 16, 1925 in Itta Benna, Miss. His parents Nora Ella and Albert separated when Riley was 4 years old and he went to live with his maternal grandparents in Kilmichael, Miss. His mother died when he was 9. He began singing in church and the minister taught him his first guitar chords. When he was 14, he got his first guitar. In 1940, young Riley moved to Lexington, Miss. to live with his father's new family. He returned to Kilmichael after 2 years. He worked as a farmhand and finally realized that he was not cut out for that life and that he wanted to sing the Blues. Riley King began his career performing on Sonny Boy's KWEM radio program. He soon became a full-time disc jockey for WDIA.

His nickname was 'The Pepticon Boy' and soon evolved into 'The Beale Street Blues Boy'. This became 'Blues Boy', and then finally to 'BB' In Memphis, BB King worked with Robert Lockwood Jr. and the Beale Streeters, which included the great Bobby 'Blue' Bland, Junior Parker, Rosco Gordon, and Johnny Ace. BB King recorded for Modern RPM Records at Sun Studios. The session produced the hit Three O'Clock Blues and launched his recording career. This record stayed in the #1 slot on the R&B charts for 17 weeks. Followed with more successful recordings including, Woke Up This Morning, and You Upset Me Baby. The hits continued and BB took to the road touring and recording. In the 1960's, B.B. moved to the ABC-Paramount label and recorded Live At The Regal. Rock audiences soon discovered B.B. and soon he was playing rock venues such as the Fillmore (East/West), festivals, and concerts. He also toured with the Rolling Stones. He soon scored with the hit The Thrill Is Gone and was appearing on American Bandstand and Ed Sullivan Show. He stayed busy through the 70' and 80's touring Europe and America. He released There Is Always One More Time in 1991 on MCA Records. He still continues to dominate the Blues scene and is one of the most beloved artists. BB King has recorded with many Blues and Rock artists including U2 (When Love Comes To Town) and Bobby 'Blue Bland'. His 'Blues Summit', recordings he collaborated with Jay McShann, Koko Taylor, John Lee Hooker, Gatemouth Brown, and Etta James.He and his guitar, 'Lucille', remain the most well-known artists in the history of Blues. BB King was inducted into the Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame (1980) and the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.  MP3 - ASK ME NO QUESTIONS | more BB @ www.bbking.com