The Blues Boy Research Paper
Faith Eleby
The Blues Boy- Why B.B King is the most influential person of the blues era? With all the trials and tribulations, he had to go through in his life, he became the most influential artist there was of the blues era. Although B.B, had great success added to his name, the simple fact of his birth place could have created havoc on his future. Mississippi was known for its dislike of African Americans and during this time there were no laws to protect them. In the year that B.B King was born seventeen African Americans had been lynched in America and the Ku Klux Klan reported had 1 billion members. Economically, most black families farmed and sharecropped and during the twenties sharecropping was another form of slavery.
Historic …show more content…
scholar Dick Waterman reported B.B Kings father borrowed money from the owner of the land $2.50 a month and after his first year of sharecropping he owed the land owner $ 7.54. So, it is safe to say B.B King was very fortunate to not only live to such an old age but to also be lucky enough not fall victim to the discriminatory societies during that time. Riley B. King usually known as B.B King was born on September 16, 1925 in Itta Beta, in the Mississippi Delta on a cotton plantation. As a kid, he admired many talented artists like T-Bone walker and Charlie Christian. His parents divorced when he was just a small boy at the age of 4. His early years as a child were not easy for him. Education was poor, especially for a young black boy, he went to school in a one room school house that was poorly made and unraveling day by day, additionally he had developed a stuttering which he had to overcome. After the divorce, he and his mother moved to Kilmichael, Mississippi. Years later his mother died when he was approximately 10 years old, after her death he stayed with relatives from there being raised by his maternal grandmother. Before being discovered B.B King had low paying jobs and played music on a street corner to survive. When n he did play on the street corner, although given compliments he said the passersby that liked the blues always gave a better tip than the gospel music requesters. For four years, he lived by himself in his cabin, working a farm, he had to pick cotton to support himself. He was not able to finish school but he always worked to better himself educationally. When B.B was in his teenage years his father came, and moved him to Lexington in with his new family, but he didn't stay long and went home. After driving a tractor, and learning Guitar from his preacher, B.B finally got his chance to shine when he played for Sonny Boy Williamson’s radio. His first real music job paid twelve dollars a night. Where he earned various nicknames as, Beale Street Blues Boy then Blues Boy King and eventually was shortened to B.B. several records were recorded in 1949 for the Nashville-based Bullet label and few for Sam Phillips' RPM label. Including his hit Three O'Clock Blues, which stayed at the top of charts for weeks. A great number of legendary songs came flooding in over the years, thus being How Blue Can You Get; Every day, I Have the Blues; Sweet Sixteen Part 1; Please Love Me;
In the year of 1949, B.B had a performance in Twist, Arkansas when a fight broke out knocking over a kerosene lamp causing a river of fire to spread catching the building on fire, in a split-second B.B made a split decision to, sprint back inside for his guitar barely escaping alive. He discovered the fight was over a girl named Lucille he gave his guitar, which he named his guitar to remind him to never do something so dangerous like that again. From then on, all his trademark Gibson guitars have carried the name. During the 1950’s after beginning touring he was on the road for most the year approximately three hundred days.
After marrying Martha Lee Denton in around 1945 their marriage ended in 1952, but that didn’t stop King from pursuing his dream. On February 2, 1952, he was signed to Universal Attractions booking agency that helped Lucille as a reminder him go on tors all over and gain wide affection from all types of people of all sorts of different colors. Some of the stops included Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C, the Royal Theatre of Baltimore, the Regal Theater in Chicago, and the Apollo Theater of Harlem. These places challenged new types of audiences for King, which he did not disappoint. In 1955, he formed his first big band and bought their first tour bus “B.B. King Band,” and “Big Red.” The band consisted of 16 people including Walker brothers, bus driver Cato, and bassist “Shinny, Evelyn “Mama Nuts” Young and drummer Earl Forest. The band played over 100 engagements
Two years later he married Sue Carol Hall, in Indianola, Mississippi. Sue learned how to adjust with life on the road with her famous husband. Eventually, they buy a home in Los Angeles., but being married to a famous person who is rarely there becomes problematic. Their marriage ended in 1966. To make matters worse, B. B’s tour bus the “Big Red,” collided with a butane truck on a bridge in Texas. Both passengers of the truck died in the accident, everyone on the bus lives. The company stated that the bus was suspended a day or two before the accident, leaving B.B. with all the responsibility, this put him in several years of debt that took years to pay off.
In 1963, His song ‘’How Blue Can You Get?” written by Leonard Feather became one of B. B’s most known song. This started to get him on the right road again. In 1964, he recorded Live at the Regal, the album that named him the King of the Blues decades later of June 8. A little after it was looking like he had all his problems almost sorted out, he was hit with a $78,000 lien by the IRS for back taxes owed. Leading to yet another divorce with Sue King and a stolen bus. Although, his luck looked like it was changing when ABC-Paramount began issuing B.B. King Recordings on Blues Way, the new label adored blues artist. He recorded the live album Blues Is King, noted as his finest works. Though, to many white audiences he is still unknown. Around 1968, after an argument over money issues with his manager, Lou Zito, which led to Lou being fired. After Lou was out of the picture B.B decided to hire, Lou’s accountant. Sidney Seidenberg, who made a change in B. B’s life when she signed him with Associated Booking, one of many powerhouse agencies ran by known legend Joe Glaser. He also managed multiple other legends like, Louis Armstrong and Fats Domino.
After a long road of unlikely moments and his hard work and dedication, he finally played the Fillmore Auditorium of San Francisco, where he was introduced as the “King of the Blues” where he received a standing ovation, given by a predominant white audience, owning the stage as usual.
Despite the fact that B.B decided to divert from the rock and roll path, in the 1950s, he started to add some of the traits of early rockers like Little Richard to his performance. After the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., In 1969 B.B played an all-night blues benefit, that raised money for King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference with fellow artist Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Guy. Near the end of the 1960’s he made another musical mile stone by touring in Europe. In no time, B.B was playing concerts with bands such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Santana. When African American audiences turned away from the blues, white audiences began to fill their shoes. In 1969 "The Thrill Is Gone" was released which won a Grammy in 1971 and became one King's biggest hit. Adding to 1971, him and his attorney, founded FAIRR (the Foundation for the Advancement of Inmate Rehabilitation and Recreation), that is dedicated to the help improve the conditions of prisons. King often performed in prisons, one song that he recorded and released is known as Live at San …show more content…
Quentin.
In 1971 he received his first Grammy win for the album The Thrill is Gone. In his lifetime, he won fifteen Grammys and received six nominations. His music has been recognized by many musical organization and has crossed over into the country music. In 1995 he was nominated by the Country Music Association for album of the year. The album was a collaboration with country music legend George Jones. The song was titled “Patches”.
By the 1980s B.B was being acknowledged as blues legend. In that same year, he donated part of his music collection to the musical archives at the University of Mississippi which is still used today for research and resource. In 1984 he won a Grammy for best traditional blues recording for Blues n' Jazz, he was also feature on the album Rattle and Hum with the Irish rock band U2. BB King released over fifty albums in his lifetime. Of the fifty albums, he won he worked with many different artist from Over the years B.B King has made countless hits including his trademark song “The Thrill Is Gone”, “Three O’clock Blues” and “Blues All around Me”. B.B King was and still might be the most listened to and admired blues artist of all time. B.B King has earned several notable accomplishments. For example, 1990s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Presidential Medal of Freedom from George Bush the National Heritage Award from the National endowment for the Arts Award and earned star Hollywood’s walk of fame he also has earned consecutive Grammys known as best rock instrumental performance in 1997 and best traditional blues album for the years 1984, 1986,1991,2000,2001, and 2003 and a Lifetime Achievement Award. B.B King was always innovative with his ideas and how he was able get his music to the masses. In the early 2000’s he opened music clubs in many different states and continued to make music with icons like Eric Clapton. In 2006 when he was turning eighty-one he toured Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Luxembourg.
One of his B.B King’s famous quotes said, “The water on the white side of the fountain did not any taste any different from the black side.” Even though B.B King was born during a time of racial differences and prejudice his love of music crossed all racial boundaries and he has left a legacy of blues music and humanitarianism.
He has met with many dignitaries like Pope John Paul II and President Barack Obama. B.B King has made appearances on Sesame Street and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and he is recognized for his philanthropical support to non-profit organizations. He lived well into his eighties before being overcome with his complications from diabetes. Before he passed away in the year May 15, 2015 he was stilling touring, he was also a
multi-millionaire. After he passed away there was a bit of controversy involving his estate and how he died and who would control his finances. His children Karen Williams and Patty King stated that their father was poisoned that caused his premature death, accusing his business manager Laverne Toney.At first the news reported he may have been poisoned but after an autopsy the coroner confirmed he had died of natural causes.
His legacy is left by his 15 children, 11 that remain alive, inspired fans, and legendary artists that were touched by his music, and continue to be touched by his music and understood how important he was to the blues era and music industry. messages in tribute to King’s talent and skill.
For instance, Warren Hayes, a guitarist from the band Gov’t Mule had a very meaningful statement after the news of B. B’s death reached him "I fell in love with BB's voice before I ever picked up a guitar,'' just one of the many artist that was inspired by King's unique, vibrato and legendary sound. "When I started playing guitar a few years later I realized his voice and his guitar were the same thing. That inspired me to try and achieve that balance myself." To B.B King, the blues had a way of comforting people that seeped to the soul. "Blues is a tonic for whatever ails you, I could play the blues and then not be blue anymore.'' King told the magazine USA TODAY in 2005. Although, King is no longer with us his music and legacy will continue to spread throughout the world and its people for many more countless decades, and if someone ever wonders why he was a blues singer they might get a statement from B.B like “But people that would ask me to sing a blues song would always tip me and maybe give me a beer. They always would do something of that kind. Sometimes I’d make 50 or 60 dollars one Saturday afternoon. Now you know why I’m a blues singer.”
After all the sweet and bitter times in B.B King’s life he never failed to convey his message of blues to millions of audiences going through hard times and dealing with a lifetime of blues their self. He is the most admired artist of the blues era because of his astounding hard work and dedication, distinctive way of playing the guitar and astounding love for music especially the blues.
Works cited: Weiner, Tim. “B. B. King, Defining Bluesman for Generations, Dies at 89.” Music. The New York Times, 24 June 2015. Web. 7 Dec. 2016.
Advameg. “B. B. King biography - life, children, parents, name, history, mother, young, old, information, born, time.” www.notablebiographies.com. n.d. Web. 7 Dec. 2016.
E, Frank. World history Timeline, 1925. 2015. Web. 7 Dec. 2016. “Sharecropping | slavery by another name Bento.” ww.pbs.org. Sharecropping | Slavery By Another Name Bento | PBS, 1995. Web. 7 Dec. 2016.
Pavlova, Victoria. “BB king’s legacy lives on after blues legend’s death.” www.contactmusic.com. Contactmusic.com, 15 May 2015. Web. 7 Dec. 2016. biography.editors. “B.B King Biography.” www.biography.com. n.d. Web. 8 Dec. 2016.
“B.B. King: Visionary videos: NVLP: African American history.” visonaryproject.org. 2002. Web. 9 Dec. 2016.
The Blues Boy- Why B.B King is the most influential person of the blues era? With all the trials and tribulations, he had to go through in his life, he became the most influential artist there was of the blues era. Although B.B, had great success added to his name, the simple fact of his birth place could have created havoc on his future. Mississippi was known for its dislike of African Americans and during this time there were no laws to protect them. In the year that B.B King was born seventeen African Americans had been lynched in America and the Ku Klux Klan reported had 1 billion members. Economically, most black families farmed and sharecropped and during the twenties sharecropping was another form of slavery.
Historic …show more content…
scholar Dick Waterman reported B.B Kings father borrowed money from the owner of the land $2.50 a month and after his first year of sharecropping he owed the land owner $ 7.54. So, it is safe to say B.B King was very fortunate to not only live to such an old age but to also be lucky enough not fall victim to the discriminatory societies during that time. Riley B. King usually known as B.B King was born on September 16, 1925 in Itta Beta, in the Mississippi Delta on a cotton plantation. As a kid, he admired many talented artists like T-Bone walker and Charlie Christian. His parents divorced when he was just a small boy at the age of 4. His early years as a child were not easy for him. Education was poor, especially for a young black boy, he went to school in a one room school house that was poorly made and unraveling day by day, additionally he had developed a stuttering which he had to overcome. After the divorce, he and his mother moved to Kilmichael, Mississippi. Years later his mother died when he was approximately 10 years old, after her death he stayed with relatives from there being raised by his maternal grandmother. Before being discovered B.B King had low paying jobs and played music on a street corner to survive. When n he did play on the street corner, although given compliments he said the passersby that liked the blues always gave a better tip than the gospel music requesters. For four years, he lived by himself in his cabin, working a farm, he had to pick cotton to support himself. He was not able to finish school but he always worked to better himself educationally. When B.B was in his teenage years his father came, and moved him to Lexington in with his new family, but he didn't stay long and went home. After driving a tractor, and learning Guitar from his preacher, B.B finally got his chance to shine when he played for Sonny Boy Williamson’s radio. His first real music job paid twelve dollars a night. Where he earned various nicknames as, Beale Street Blues Boy then Blues Boy King and eventually was shortened to B.B. several records were recorded in 1949 for the Nashville-based Bullet label and few for Sam Phillips' RPM label. Including his hit Three O'Clock Blues, which stayed at the top of charts for weeks. A great number of legendary songs came flooding in over the years, thus being How Blue Can You Get; Every day, I Have the Blues; Sweet Sixteen Part 1; Please Love Me;
In the year of 1949, B.B had a performance in Twist, Arkansas when a fight broke out knocking over a kerosene lamp causing a river of fire to spread catching the building on fire, in a split-second B.B made a split decision to, sprint back inside for his guitar barely escaping alive. He discovered the fight was over a girl named Lucille he gave his guitar, which he named his guitar to remind him to never do something so dangerous like that again. From then on, all his trademark Gibson guitars have carried the name. During the 1950’s after beginning touring he was on the road for most the year approximately three hundred days.
After marrying Martha Lee Denton in around 1945 their marriage ended in 1952, but that didn’t stop King from pursuing his dream. On February 2, 1952, he was signed to Universal Attractions booking agency that helped Lucille as a reminder him go on tors all over and gain wide affection from all types of people of all sorts of different colors. Some of the stops included Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C, the Royal Theatre of Baltimore, the Regal Theater in Chicago, and the Apollo Theater of Harlem. These places challenged new types of audiences for King, which he did not disappoint. In 1955, he formed his first big band and bought their first tour bus “B.B. King Band,” and “Big Red.” The band consisted of 16 people including Walker brothers, bus driver Cato, and bassist “Shinny, Evelyn “Mama Nuts” Young and drummer Earl Forest. The band played over 100 engagements
Two years later he married Sue Carol Hall, in Indianola, Mississippi. Sue learned how to adjust with life on the road with her famous husband. Eventually, they buy a home in Los Angeles., but being married to a famous person who is rarely there becomes problematic. Their marriage ended in 1966. To make matters worse, B. B’s tour bus the “Big Red,” collided with a butane truck on a bridge in Texas. Both passengers of the truck died in the accident, everyone on the bus lives. The company stated that the bus was suspended a day or two before the accident, leaving B.B. with all the responsibility, this put him in several years of debt that took years to pay off.
In 1963, His song ‘’How Blue Can You Get?” written by Leonard Feather became one of B. B’s most known song. This started to get him on the right road again. In 1964, he recorded Live at the Regal, the album that named him the King of the Blues decades later of June 8. A little after it was looking like he had all his problems almost sorted out, he was hit with a $78,000 lien by the IRS for back taxes owed. Leading to yet another divorce with Sue King and a stolen bus. Although, his luck looked like it was changing when ABC-Paramount began issuing B.B. King Recordings on Blues Way, the new label adored blues artist. He recorded the live album Blues Is King, noted as his finest works. Though, to many white audiences he is still unknown. Around 1968, after an argument over money issues with his manager, Lou Zito, which led to Lou being fired. After Lou was out of the picture B.B decided to hire, Lou’s accountant. Sidney Seidenberg, who made a change in B. B’s life when she signed him with Associated Booking, one of many powerhouse agencies ran by known legend Joe Glaser. He also managed multiple other legends like, Louis Armstrong and Fats Domino.
After a long road of unlikely moments and his hard work and dedication, he finally played the Fillmore Auditorium of San Francisco, where he was introduced as the “King of the Blues” where he received a standing ovation, given by a predominant white audience, owning the stage as usual.
Despite the fact that B.B decided to divert from the rock and roll path, in the 1950s, he started to add some of the traits of early rockers like Little Richard to his performance. After the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., In 1969 B.B played an all-night blues benefit, that raised money for King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference with fellow artist Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Guy. Near the end of the 1960’s he made another musical mile stone by touring in Europe. In no time, B.B was playing concerts with bands such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Santana. When African American audiences turned away from the blues, white audiences began to fill their shoes. In 1969 "The Thrill Is Gone" was released which won a Grammy in 1971 and became one King's biggest hit. Adding to 1971, him and his attorney, founded FAIRR (the Foundation for the Advancement of Inmate Rehabilitation and Recreation), that is dedicated to the help improve the conditions of prisons. King often performed in prisons, one song that he recorded and released is known as Live at San …show more content…
Quentin.
In 1971 he received his first Grammy win for the album The Thrill is Gone. In his lifetime, he won fifteen Grammys and received six nominations. His music has been recognized by many musical organization and has crossed over into the country music. In 1995 he was nominated by the Country Music Association for album of the year. The album was a collaboration with country music legend George Jones. The song was titled “Patches”.
By the 1980s B.B was being acknowledged as blues legend. In that same year, he donated part of his music collection to the musical archives at the University of Mississippi which is still used today for research and resource. In 1984 he won a Grammy for best traditional blues recording for Blues n' Jazz, he was also feature on the album Rattle and Hum with the Irish rock band U2. BB King released over fifty albums in his lifetime. Of the fifty albums, he won he worked with many different artist from Over the years B.B King has made countless hits including his trademark song “The Thrill Is Gone”, “Three O’clock Blues” and “Blues All around Me”. B.B King was and still might be the most listened to and admired blues artist of all time. B.B King has earned several notable accomplishments. For example, 1990s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Presidential Medal of Freedom from George Bush the National Heritage Award from the National endowment for the Arts Award and earned star Hollywood’s walk of fame he also has earned consecutive Grammys known as best rock instrumental performance in 1997 and best traditional blues album for the years 1984, 1986,1991,2000,2001, and 2003 and a Lifetime Achievement Award. B.B King was always innovative with his ideas and how he was able get his music to the masses. In the early 2000’s he opened music clubs in many different states and continued to make music with icons like Eric Clapton. In 2006 when he was turning eighty-one he toured Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Luxembourg.
One of his B.B King’s famous quotes said, “The water on the white side of the fountain did not any taste any different from the black side.” Even though B.B King was born during a time of racial differences and prejudice his love of music crossed all racial boundaries and he has left a legacy of blues music and humanitarianism.
He has met with many dignitaries like Pope John Paul II and President Barack Obama. B.B King has made appearances on Sesame Street and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and he is recognized for his philanthropical support to non-profit organizations. He lived well into his eighties before being overcome with his complications from diabetes. Before he passed away in the year May 15, 2015 he was stilling touring, he was also a
multi-millionaire. After he passed away there was a bit of controversy involving his estate and how he died and who would control his finances. His children Karen Williams and Patty King stated that their father was poisoned that caused his premature death, accusing his business manager Laverne Toney.At first the news reported he may have been poisoned but after an autopsy the coroner confirmed he had died of natural causes.
His legacy is left by his 15 children, 11 that remain alive, inspired fans, and legendary artists that were touched by his music, and continue to be touched by his music and understood how important he was to the blues era and music industry. messages in tribute to King’s talent and skill.
For instance, Warren Hayes, a guitarist from the band Gov’t Mule had a very meaningful statement after the news of B. B’s death reached him "I fell in love with BB's voice before I ever picked up a guitar,'' just one of the many artist that was inspired by King's unique, vibrato and legendary sound. "When I started playing guitar a few years later I realized his voice and his guitar were the same thing. That inspired me to try and achieve that balance myself." To B.B King, the blues had a way of comforting people that seeped to the soul. "Blues is a tonic for whatever ails you, I could play the blues and then not be blue anymore.'' King told the magazine USA TODAY in 2005. Although, King is no longer with us his music and legacy will continue to spread throughout the world and its people for many more countless decades, and if someone ever wonders why he was a blues singer they might get a statement from B.B like “But people that would ask me to sing a blues song would always tip me and maybe give me a beer. They always would do something of that kind. Sometimes I’d make 50 or 60 dollars one Saturday afternoon. Now you know why I’m a blues singer.”
After all the sweet and bitter times in B.B King’s life he never failed to convey his message of blues to millions of audiences going through hard times and dealing with a lifetime of blues their self. He is the most admired artist of the blues era because of his astounding hard work and dedication, distinctive way of playing the guitar and astounding love for music especially the blues.
Works cited: Weiner, Tim. “B. B. King, Defining Bluesman for Generations, Dies at 89.” Music. The New York Times, 24 June 2015. Web. 7 Dec. 2016.
Advameg. “B. B. King biography - life, children, parents, name, history, mother, young, old, information, born, time.” www.notablebiographies.com. n.d. Web. 7 Dec. 2016.
E, Frank. World history Timeline, 1925. 2015. Web. 7 Dec. 2016. “Sharecropping | slavery by another name Bento.” ww.pbs.org. Sharecropping | Slavery By Another Name Bento | PBS, 1995. Web. 7 Dec. 2016.
Pavlova, Victoria. “BB king’s legacy lives on after blues legend’s death.” www.contactmusic.com. Contactmusic.com, 15 May 2015. Web. 7 Dec. 2016. biography.editors. “B.B King Biography.” www.biography.com. n.d. Web. 8 Dec. 2016.
“B.B. King: Visionary videos: NVLP: African American history.” visonaryproject.org. 2002. Web. 9 Dec. 2016.