Jose Miguel Sanchez

Remembering the great B.B. King who was born on this day in 1925. Regarded as a principal figure in the development of blues music, King's virtuoso guitar style strongly influenced the new generation of rock and blues guitarists, such as Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and many others. King introduced a sophisticated style of soloing based on fluid string bending, shimmering vibrato, and staccato picking that influenced many later blues electric guitar players. He often played 300 or more one-night stands a year with his 13-piece band. King’s relentless touring strengthened his claim to the title of undisputed king of the blues, and he was a regular fixture on the Billboard charts through the mid-1980s. Here, he is performing “The Thrill is Gone” live in 1971.