I saw him only once, it was back in the 80's at the PNE outdoor Aquastage in Vancouver. I hadn't known a lot about him but I came away with a whole new appreciation. He was not only good with the audience and super talented but he looked sooooo comfortable playing his guitar, more so than any other musician I've seen. He was born to play.
Thanks for the memories BB.
Thanks for the memories BB.
Mr Leary (gee, would that be a pseudonym?) - perhaps there's a more appropriate venue to vent your condescension on this particular art form?
Sad day indeed, but his suffering is over, and like all departed, he'll live on as long as we remember and repeat his name
Sad day indeed, but his suffering is over, and like all departed, he'll live on as long as we remember and repeat his name
Bye Bye B. B., You'll be missed.
Thank you for the gift of music that you gave to so many people.
Enjoy the music you'll make forever.
This one is on me Brother in the Blues.
Cheers,
Thank you for the gift of music that you gave to so many people.
Enjoy the music you'll make forever.
This one is on me Brother in the Blues.
Cheers,
RIP.
Saw him perform several years back in St. John, NB... and he put on a heck of a show. He was a very humble man, constantly thanking the audience for being there and coming to see "this old man". And despite slowing down a fair bit and needing help from his crew to get on/off the stage, he still had his guitar chops. He's hardly a fast player or showoff, but man can he evoke emotion with that guitar of his, not many people have that ability.
He told a lot of stories too - he grew up in the days of segregation, and described one time after having a few drinks being dared by his buddies to steal a drink from the white fountain at the train station... then wondering what the hell the big deal was, as it tasted exactly the same as the black people's fountain. And he got all the men in the audience to sing "you are my sunshine" to the women. Good times.
And I will agree with famousmockingbird on one thing - 89 is a hell of a long life, especially for a musician.
Saw him perform several years back in St. John, NB... and he put on a heck of a show. He was a very humble man, constantly thanking the audience for being there and coming to see "this old man". And despite slowing down a fair bit and needing help from his crew to get on/off the stage, he still had his guitar chops. He's hardly a fast player or showoff, but man can he evoke emotion with that guitar of his, not many people have that ability.
He told a lot of stories too - he grew up in the days of segregation, and described one time after having a few drinks being dared by his buddies to steal a drink from the white fountain at the train station... then wondering what the hell the big deal was, as it tasted exactly the same as the black people's fountain. And he got all the men in the audience to sing "you are my sunshine" to the women. Good times.
And I will agree with famousmockingbird on one thing - 89 is a hell of a long life, especially for a musician.
I was lucky enough to go to his shows in Place des Arts in Montreal, the great Massey Hall in Toronto, Ottawa arts centre and a theatre somewhere in or around los Angeles. I didn't follow him around but I just happened to be working in those places. His shows were always great and his band first rate. He is now playing for the folks upstairs.
I am also fortunate to attend his concerts twice.
It was in Tbilisi in the 80s.
An unforgettable experience!
It was in Tbilisi in the 80s.
An unforgettable experience!
BB was the consummate showman and one hell of a blues musician...if you don't respect his music you part company with Eric, Mick, Stevie Ray and virtually every guitar great of the last 50 years. RIP BB and condolences to Lucille.
Posts not in the spirit of a commemoration thread removed. PM me if you have a concern with that.
I was following B.B. King's more recent health bulletins. Clearly he was struggling with his weight. 🙁
But we shall not see such an effortless guitarist again. One of my favourite performances of "The Thrill is Gone" here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fk2prKnYnI
He never needed to watch his fingers! RIP, B.B. You were great.
But we shall not see such an effortless guitarist again. One of my favourite performances of "The Thrill is Gone" here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fk2prKnYnI
He never needed to watch his fingers! RIP, B.B. You were great.
saw him first when I was a kid on holiday, watching TV, on the Johnny Carson show. Had no Idea who he was until years later, but THAT SOUND stayed with me, no-one else can get a guitar to sound that way, RIP
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