Happy Birthday, B.B. King!

Today is B.B. King’s 83rd birthday! He was born Riley B. King on September 16, 1925 and was named the third-greatest guitarist of all-time by Rolling Stone magazine. He received the 1987 Lifetime Achievement Grammy and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Several of B.B.’s early recordings were produced by Sam Phillips, who later founded Sun Records in Memphis, TN. King was also a disc jockey in Memphis, where he got the nickname “Beale Street Blues Boy,” which was then shortened to “B. B.” Since the 1950s, B.B. has been one of the most important names in Blues and R&B music, with a long list of hits which include:

The Thrill is Gone (His biggest hit, 1969)

How Blue Can You Get

You Know I Love You

Sweet Little Angel

Click here to find out why B.B. named his guitar Lucille.

Album Recommendations:

Live At The Apollo

Live At The Regal

That’s All Right

Elvis Presley’s first single, “That’s All Right” was recorded on this day in 1954 at Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, and was released in September of that year. The song was written and originally recorded by Arthur Crudup, earlier in 1954.

On this recording, Elvis provided vocals and rhythm guitar; Scotty Moore played lead guitar; and Bill Black was on the upright “slapped” bass. It was produced by Sam Phillips, and all parts were performed at once and recorded on a single track. “Blue Moon of Kentucky” was its B Side.

More on the legendary Sun Studios -and my recent visit there-will be coming your way soon.