B.B. King (born Riley B. King, September 16, 1925 - May 14, 2015) was an American blues musician, singer/songwriter and guitarist. He was given the nickname "The King of the Blues". He is also considered one of the "Three Kings of the Blues Guitar", which include Albert King and Freddie King (neither of whom were related to him). Fellow blues artist Bukka White was his second cousin.
King's career has influenced many in the blues and rock genres, with songs such as "The Thrill is Gone", "How Blue Can You Get", "Rock Me Baby", "Worried Life Blues" and "Sweet Little Angel". He has also collaborated with musical acts such as Bobby Bland, Eric Clapton and U2. He collaborated with Diane Schuur on the 1994 album Heart to Heart.
King notably appeared in The Blues Brothers 2000 as Malvern Gasperone of The Louisiana Gator Boys, a blues supergroup which also included Lou Rawls, among others. His other movie and television appearances include Sanford and Son, Spies Like Us, U2: Rattle and Hum, The Cosby Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Cow and Chicken. He performed on the soundtrack for Into the Night.
King made appearances on the albums The Simpsons Sing the Blues, where he provided guitar on the Albert King cover "Born Under a Bad Sign" (sung by the character of Homer Simpson), and the Peanuts album Happy Anniversary, Charlie Brown, where he performed "Joe Cool".
Songs[]
- "Monday Morning Blues (Blues for Mr. G.)" - Released as the final track on Am I Cool or What?; also heard in the opening sequence of Garfield Gets a Life. In 2012, the track was included on the box set Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. B.B. King.