B.B. King : The King of the Blues Riley B. King (1925–2015), better known as , was a towering figure in American music who brought the blues from the rural South to a global audience. His sophisticated soloing style, characterized by fluid string bending and a shimmering vibrato, redefined the electric guitar and influenced generations of rock and blues musicians. Early Life and "Blues Boy" Origins

: His first national hit, "3 O'Clock Blues" (1951), spent 15 weeks on the R&B charts and launched a relentless touring career. The Legend of Lucille

King was inseparable from his trademark black Gibson guitars, all named .

: After moving to Memphis in 1947, he became a disc jockey on WDIA radio. His on-air name, "Beale Street Blues Boy," was eventually shortened to "Blues Boy" and finally to B.B. .