Tributes have poured in for the blues legend BB King, the inspiration for generations of musicians, who has died in his sleep aged 89.
The world famous singer and guitarist, who began life on a plantation in Mississippi and was universally acclaimed as one of the best blues musicians of all time, had been receiving hospice care at his home.
His death was announced on Facebook by his daughter, Claudette, who posted: “It is with great sadness that we relay that Blues legend BB King has died in Las Vegas at the age of 89.” She added: “Please remember him in your heart.”
The news triggered an outpouring of personal tributes from household names across social media.
Singer Lenny Kravitz tweeted: “BB, anyone could play a thousand notes and never say what you said in one.”
Singer-songwriter Bryan Adams agreed: “One of the best blues guitarists ever, maybe the best. He could do more on one note than anyone.”Richie Sambora, the Bon Jovi guitarist, wrote: “My friend and legend BB King passed. I”m so so sad. He was so great to me. We’ve lost the King”.
Actor Hugh Laurie tweeted: “Oh God. BB King. Let the sad times roll”. Meanwhile, Samuel L Jackson urged his Twitter followers: “Play a BB King song today & remember him! RIP Mr King & thanks for all the Great Music!”
Singer Gladys Knight posted a link to a YouTube video of her performing Please Send Me Someone to Love, with King, tweeting: “What a brilliant man you were. One who will forever be noted as such an inspiration to millions globally, RIP.”
Ringo Starr, the former Beatle, joined the tributes, tweeting: “God Bless BB King, peace and love to his family?” The rapper Snoop Dogg posted a photo of King holding his guitar, which he always named Lucille, on his Instagram page.
Will Young wrote: “BB King – the most wonderful blues singer and guitarist. I suggest everyone gets one of his records to hear true soul and spirit.”
King is celebrated for bringing the raw music of the cotton fields in the segregated south of America to a global audience, and inspiring guitarists such as Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
At 89, he outlived blues contemporaries including Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and John Lee Hooker.
Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time ranked him third in 2003, behind only Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman.
He is blessed with 15 children.
Source: Theguardian
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