King of the Blues: The Rise and Reign of B. B. King

Riley “Blues Boy” King (1925-2015), born into poverty in Jim Crow Mississippi, found solace in music. Inspired by a local minister’s guitar and blues legends like Blind Lemon Jefferson and T-Bone Walker, he taught himself to sing in a unique style. His work ethic and humanity became his trademark. Generations of artists, from Jimi Hendrix to Carlos Santana, were inspired by him.

This book chronicles his vibrant life and times. Witnessing dark prejudice and lynching in his youth, he performed incessantly (15,000 concerts in 90 countries over nearly 60 years)—a way to escape his past. Some of his legendary concerts, like his gig at Chicago’s Cook County Jail, remain unforgettable. His career fluctuated between adulation and relegation, but he always rose back up. However, his story reveals how record companies exploited artists, especially those of color.

(This book may contain a sharpie mark on the top or bottom edge and may show mild signs of shelfwear.)