Offscreen Notes
B.B. King: 1925-2015
B.B. King may not have had much impact in the world of cinema, but when it comes to popular music, often a driving force in the movies, B.B. was a giant among giants. King’s rags (on the Mississippi plantation fields) to riches (accolades in the world of blues music, recording and live) story is a common theme in many Hollywood classics where the ‘little guy’ rises to the occasion. As a blues singer and guitarist King had few peers when it came to the dynamic interchange between his soulful voice and mellifluous guitar tone. As an amateur blues guitarist B.B. taught me that no matter how closely you may emulate the notes of a famous guitar phrase, the SOUND comes from more than just the notes. And B.B. had an unmistakable SOUND. Along with his two other namesakes Albert and Freddie, the three ‘Kings’ solidified the ever lasting presence of blues-inspired guitar playing across the history of rock and roll. As Muddy Waters sang, “the blues had a baby and named it rock and roll.” Together the three Kings influenced more seminal rock guitarists (Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Michael Bloomfield, Jack White, Joe Perry, Keith Richards, Bill Nelson, Roy Buchanan, Gary Moore, Billy Gibbons, and onward) than any other group of players. Before he died, at age 88, King was the subject of a feature length documentary by Jon Brewer, B.B. King: The Life of Riley, which is soon to be released in theatres, VOD, pay-per-view, and on DVD (trailer here). I can just hear B.B. exchanging notes with Jimi up in guitar heaven.
