B.B. King Has Died

Blues legend B.B. KING died last night. He was 89, and he'd been hospitalized twice recently for complications from high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, which he'd had for 20 years.

His most famous song was "The Thrill Is Gone" from 1970. "Rolling Stone" puts him at number six on their list of the 100 greatest guitarists.

He was born on a cotton plantation in Mississippi in 1925, and worked as a tractor driver, singer, and disc jockey before becoming famous for playing guitar in the 50's.

His real first name was Riley . . . the B.B. comes from the nickname "Blues Boy King." And he always played a trademark Gibson guitar nicknamed 'Lucille'.

He was also famous for touring constantly, almost 300 shows a year, even into his 70's. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and won 15 Grammys.

May he rest in peace!