A young orphan on a Mississippi cotton plantation who became the world’s greatest bluesman, Riley “B.B.” King—who died this year at 89—led an inspired, and inspiring, life. Here’s a video taste of B.B. from several different eras to go along with our October feature celebration. His look may change a bit from decade to decade, but his connection to the spirit of the blues always stays strong.
First, a short but powerful clip of “Heartbreaker” from his 1968 appearance on the German TV show Beat Club.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov8E4fCz6o8
Second, his electrifying 1972 performance of “How Blue Can You Get?” to a room full of inmates at upstate New York’s Sing Sing Prison.
Next, check out the fiery rendition of “Nightlife” that starts off this video from a 1983 show in Dallas.
And finally, some special friends join B.B. for a song about his favorite letter of the alphabet in 2001.