B.B. King

“The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it

away from you.“

  • Name: B.B. King
  • Born: September 16, 1925
  • Died: May 14, 2015
  • From: Berclair, Mississippi, United States
  • Occupation: Musician
  • Works: B. B. King 
  • Awards: Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement (1987), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, National Medals of Art (1990), Kennedy Centre Honoree (1995), Presidential Medal of Freedom, MTV Video Music Awards
  • Fun Facts:

    B.B. became a licensed pilot in 1963 and often flew himself to gigs until the age of 70. He was the owner of a chain of restaurants with concert venues in the United States. The first was opened on Beale Street in Memphis in 1991.

B.B. King, by name of Riley B. King, an American guitarist and singer who was a principal figure in the development of blues and from whose style leading popular musicians drew inspiration. King became a disc jockey in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was dubbed “the Beale Street Blues Boy.” That nickname was shortened to “B.B.” The guitarist cut his first record in 1949. He spent the next several decades recording and touring, playing more than 300 shows a year. 

He remains as one of the most imitated blues guitarists, and his influence on music around the world has been incalculable. From Oasis to any guitar band, they are influenced by people who were influenced by B.B. King. B.B. King collaborated with tons of artists and not just blues musicians. His duet with U2 on When Love Comes to Town is one of the most well known.

I Am Handout

Handout

To download the Handout:

  1. Click on the image
  2. Right-click and select Save Image As…
  3. Print
  4. Write a description on the line and decorate.
  5. Cut out and use for a selfie to share on our social media page.
  6. Download a card and envelope template and write about an idea this leader inspires.
  7. Check out more resources and ways to celebrate MLK can be found on these links as well as our official  Day of Service opportunity to volunteer.

This ASI Special event is an ongoing volunteer-led project made by people like you, using multiple educational sources regularly being revised and updated. We would love your assistance if you or your group would like to get involved, learn more here.