‘RIP B.B. King’: Obama, Apollo Theater, Santana pay tribute to the blues legend
To say that the world is mourning the death of one of its greatest musicians today is to truly mean "the world." From astrophysicists to fellow musicians to the president of the United States, it seems everyone who ever met blues singer and guitarist Riley "B.B." King -- who died at his home in Las Vegas last night at the age of 89 -- has a warm memory of the man known as the humblest and most encouraging elder statesmen of music.
President Obama: 'There's going to be one killer blues session in heaven tonight'
Simon Cowell: 'So sad about B.B. King'
The Doors: 'Our condolences go to the family & fans'
Keith Richards: 'I will miss him'
Apollo Theater honors its 'legend'
ZZ Top: 'RIP B.B. KING'
Brian Wilson: King's music affected 'so many people'
Carlos Santana: 'Chairman of the board is home !!'
In a poem posted to his Facebook page, Carlos Santana memorialized B.B. King. The poem begins:
"Chairman of the board is home !! / All the kings are celebrating / the gathering of the elegance and excellence / In the ocean of the blues kingdom / Freddie King / Albert King / Saunders King / All and many more / In the King family / Are welcoming the one / That made the blues SUPREME / B B KING"
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
Sugar Ray Leonard: 'RIP to a blues legend'
Tony Bennett: 'One of my greatest friends'
Lenny Kravitz: 'A thousand notes'
Nikki Sixx: 'Nobody lives forever but their music can'
Kelly Clarkson: 'Tears to my eyes'
'Sesame Street': The letter 'B'
Neil deGrasse Tyson: 'A sadder place'
Cat Power: 'A beautiful dream'
Buddy Guy: 'Greatest guy I ever met'
B.B. King was the greatest guy I ever met. The tone he got out of that guitar, the way he shook his left wrist, the way he squeezed the strings ... man, he came out with that and it was all new to the whole guitar playin' world. He could play so smooth, he didn't have to put on a show. The way B.B. did it is the way we all do it now. He was my best friend and father to us all. I'll miss you, B. I love you and I promise I will keep these damn Blues alive. Rest well.
Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times
Bonnie Raitt: 'Gracious, humble and friendly'
"I can't think of any artist that has had as much an influence on modern rock 'n' roll or R&B; as B.B. King, and the blues as well. His guitar playing has influenced, in such a monumental way, so many people who have gone on to become cornerstones of our musical legacies. Their own legacies trace to B.B. -- his style, the vibrato, the single notes, his phrasing, his tone. Couple that with the fact that oftentimes people overlook that he's such an amazing singer .... He has remained one of the most gracious, humble and friendly and loving people I ever met in my life. Regardless of being such a giant and so significant, as a friend and an open-hearted man, I don't think you will ever meet anybody more humble and generous and gracious and appreciative."
Blues star Bonnie Raitt poses with B.B. King in 1997.
File photo
Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times
Eric Clapton: 'A beacon for all of us'
"I just want to express my sadness and say 'Thank you' to my dear friend B.B. King. I want to thank him for all the inspiration and the encouragement he gave me as a player over the years, and the friendship we enjoyed. There's not a lot left to say because his music is almost a thing of the past now and there are not many left that play it in the pure way that B.B. did. He was a beacon for all of us who loved this kind of music and I thank him from the bottom of my heart."
Billy Gibbons, ZZ Top: 'B.B. was an originator'
"Let's say this: B.B. King for many stands as an early hero and a continuing hero. He could do more with a short stated phrase than most could do with the calendar and the alphabet combined...His passing is a sad one, but we take solace in the fact that we still hold B.B. King in absolutely the highest regard as both a transcendentally talented musician and a truly wonderful human being whose spirit will always be with us...All the British guys, the Mike Bloomfields, count 'em, we're all lucky to be interpreters. B.B. was an originator."
Top guitarist Billy Gibbons performs on the Palomino Stage.
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
Ken Ehrlich, Grammy producer: 'Music world lost a giant'
"The Blues lost its best friend with the loss of B.B. King, and the music world lost a giant. I was privileged to have worked with B.B. many times over the years and he was not just a remarkable artist, he was one of the sweetest men I've ever met. He united multiple generations with a love for the blues, and I will always recall the joy he would bring to audiences and fellow musicians alike when they were lucky enough to be in his presence. When he said 'I'll play the blues for you,' he meant it. He enriched the lives and the music of every artist he came into contact with, and it's through his influence and his inspiration that his music will continue to be heard."
Anne Cusack, Los Angeles Times
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