Entertainment

10 Interesting Facts About B. B. King

With a career that began in 1949, Riley King AKA B.B.King has enough backstage stories to last several centuries. At the seasoned age of 86, B.B. King is still one of the hardest working men in show biz and is set to play over 30 shows this summer. Here are a few interesting facts that I wanted to share with you about the “King of Blues”.

1. The “King of Blues” is a licensed private pilot and learned to fly at Lansing Municipal Airport in 1963.

2. King was diagnosed with Diabetes over twenty years ago and is an avid spokesperson in the fight against the disease.

3. With 15 Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and membership into the Grammy Hall of Fame, B.B. King is one of the most accomplished musicians of all-time.

4. In 2006, B.B. King received the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award from George. W. Bush.

5. Since starting his career in 1949, King has released over 50 albums – with his highest debuting album solo album “One Kind Favor” coming at the age of 83!

6. “Lucille,” a song King wrote is also the name that he has given to his beloved guitar. In 1980, Gibson Guitar Corporation launched the Gibson Lucille Model.

7. B.B. King’s favorite singer is Frank Sinatra, who he credits for opening doors for black entertainers during the time they were shunned by the mainstream.

8. In 1970 King Won a Grammy Award for “The Thrill Is Gone,” a song that was originally written by West Coast Blues singer Roy Hawkins.

9. After returning from WWII, King was a disc jockey in Memphis and was known as “The Beale Street Blues Boy.” Hence the name B.B. King…

10. B. B. King was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

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