Bassman Steve Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 Seems he is preparing to leave us finally. Few people have ever been able to make a single note count more. Quote
Japhet Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 Always seems like a genuinely lovely man. Will be a huge loss when he goes but I hope whatever time he has left is comfortable. He deserves that. Quote
leftybassman392 Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 A properly gigantic figure in the history of the electric guitar. Anybody who doesn't know why isn't looking hard enough. Do we assume it's cancer? Quote
Len_derby Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 [quote name='Japhet' timestamp='1430644049' post='2763225'] Always seems like a genuinely lovely man. [/quote] Indeed. I've just read one of the many biographies of Jimi Hendrix (the one by Sharon Lawrence). The book states that at the time the majority of black blues guitarists cold-shouldered Hendrix and some were openly hostile. However, BB went out of his way to encourage Hendrix and actually gave him one of his guitars. So it says in the book. Quote
chris_b Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 My friend "pounced" in a hotel foyer in New Orleans. BB was clearly late and in a hurry, but stopped everything to pose for the photo and have a brief chat. By all accounts he is one of the good guys. I have seen BB at the Hammersmith Odeon and Albert Hall dozens of times throughout the years. Always a great show. It is very sad news that his health is finally failing. Quote
KevB Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 (edited) There was a good BBC doc on him a few years back, grew up dirt poor like so many blues men of his generation. Given shed loads of money back to the needy in the area where he came from (I think there is some sort of formal foundation started by him but he doesn't make a song and dance of it). Came across as very likable indeed. The recent program doesn't seem to be available on BBC site but there's this from the archive, 1972: [url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p01m5j5g/sounding-out-bb-king"]http://www.bbc.co.uk...ing-out-bb-king[/url] Edited May 3, 2015 by KevB Quote
ezbass Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 Saw him at The 'ammersmif back in the 70s - pure class. Quote
KevB Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 And let's not forget a lot of those old blues guys have an affinity with the UK because there was a time when their music was all but shunned on their home turf and they struggled to get gigs. Bands like the Stones and others of their ilk gave exposure to the old US blues men here and gave their careers a new lease of life. Quote
blue Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 He's on that very short list of once in a life time performers. Blue Quote
grenadilla Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 I met him when he played at Rickwood Field here in Birmingham (Alabama). He drank straight whisky out of a glass while the left-handed bass player smoked a hand-rolled cigarette . B got some nice sustaining feedback with a big Standel amp. It had 215s and a solid state amp in one big cabinet.Later he had several eating establishments and at least one night club. Quote
Joppesan Posted May 4, 2015 Posted May 4, 2015 I've had the honour of going to one of his concerts back in the 90's. First two numbers the King and the band were standing - and then the chairs came in on stage - not only for him - but for the entire band. They kicked ass - It was a wonderful concert. Quote
KevB Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 Yes he sat down when I saw him too, may have been late 90's or very early 2000's. Outdoor gig at De Montfort Hall in Leicester in case anyone else here went? Quote
Gottastopbuyinggear Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 I saw him, in 2006 I think, at the Birmingham NEC. Given his advancing years I thought I'd better take the opportunity to see him while I could, and the fact that he had Gary Moore as support was an added bonus. Who'd have though back then that he'd have outlived Moore... Quote
casapete Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 Saw BB at Manchester Apollo in the late 70's. Band came on and did a couple of instrumentals, swinging like hell. During the third, BB walks on with his guitar on and lead in his hand, plugs it into his amp (Twin or Lab series L5, I forget) and plays one note.....the audience goes ape. Pure class! Great gig a true legend. Lets hope he pulls through. Quote
silverfoxnik Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 [quote name='blue' timestamp='1430668372' post='2763549'] He's on that very short list of once in a life time performers. Blue [/quote] +1 I saw him at Hammersmith, mid 80's IIRC.. He was a fantastic performer; had the audience in the palm of his hand from start to finish! Quote
Count Bassy Posted May 6, 2015 Posted May 6, 2015 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1430938526' post='2766197'] Here's hoping that he pulls through.. [/quote] I share the sentiment, but given his age and it's described as 'Hospice care', it doesn't seem very likely. [size=4] [/size] Quote
barneyg42 Posted May 15, 2015 Posted May 15, 2015 http://news.sky.com/story/1484379/blues-legend-bb-king-dies-in-las-vegas Sad news :-( Quote
louisthebass Posted May 15, 2015 Posted May 15, 2015 [quote name='Len_derby' timestamp='1431669198' post='2773730'] The passing of an era. [/quote] +1 . Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.