B.B. King

A young, determined Riley B. King rises from poverty and prejudice to become the legendary B.B. King, revolutionizing the blues with his electrifying guitar mastery and soulful voice, defying the odds to leave an indelible mark on music history.

Born

1925

Died

2015

Also:
Music Artist
Actor
Music Department

Credits on file

Decades active

In short · Composed for six decades — 28 credits.

Remembered for

Ranked by community engagement + sustained interest across this person's credits in our database.

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Biography

B.B. King was an influential American blues musician known for his work as a guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He developed a distinctive style of electric guitar playing characterized by fluid string bending, shimmering vibrato, and staccato picking, which had a lasting impact on blues and rock musicians. Recognized as one of the most significant electric guitarists of the 20th century, King's contributions to the blues helped shape the genre's evolution. His artistry and innovation earned him widespread acclaim, including praise from AllMusic, which hailed him as "the single most important electric guitarist of the last half of the 20th century."

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