The king of blues BB King dies away

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

The legend has passed away. In the 90th year of his life, the singer, guitarist and composer B. B. King died. He was called the king of the blues, and despite his considerable age, he only interrupted his concert activity last year. The artist's health was crippled by diabetes.

From childhood, BB King had an endless love of music. But he began his musical career only at the age of 23, performing songs on one of the Memphis radio stations. The artist released his first single in 1949, and the audience did not like the song. And only two years later, BB King created his number one hit, Three O'Clock Blues, which made him famous in the United States. Since that time, the musician began numerous tours. And almost to the last, King gave concerts, invariably collecting a full house.

In 2008, the artist ironically remarked: “This year I will give about 180-190 concerts. But this is a little less than usual. I used to play an average of 230-240 concerts a year. In 1956, I had 342 of them. But then I was young and loved my job. I didn't notice until the agents told me at the end of the year, "BB, do you know how many times you spoke?" And then even I was surprised."

The busy work schedule did not allow the artist to create a full-fledged family. He was married twice and divorced both times precisely because of constant performances.

“The reason for the divorce was an unfulfilled promise, - said the performer about his second breakup. - You see, I promised her that next year I will not work very much. But then I had problems with the tax service, and had to work as much as before to pay off the state. Then she said that I lied, although I never do it. I tried to explain to her that I could not do otherwise. But she kept repeating: "You promised!"

BB King was admitted to hospital last month for worsening diabetes. He fought the disease for 20 years and was not at all going to give up, continuing to perform. In October 2014, doctors persuaded the artist to stop his concert activities. Recently, the musician was in the hospice.