King of Blues 'BB King' Dies in Las Vegas at 89
Riley B King, legendary blues singer, guitarist and songwriter died Thursday in Las Vegas at the age of 89.
Attorney Brent Bryson told AP that BB King had died peacefully in his sleep at his home.
He was admitted to a Las Vegas hospital earlier this month after suffering from dehydration caused by type 2 diabetes.
BB King leaves behind an enduring legacy, having cemented his place as one of America's greatest music icons in a career spanning over six decades.
He has also been credited with being a major influence to a generation of rock and blues musicians, the likes of which include Sheryl Crow, Eric Clapton, John May and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
King has released over 50 albums and sold millions of records worldwide. He won his 15th and last Grammy for 'One Kind Favor' in 2009.
Some of his most popular works include 'The Thrill is Gone', 'Everyday I have the Blues' and 'When Love Comes to Town.'
He was known for playing a number of Gibson guitars each of which he affectionately named Lucille.
King was born in a plantation field in Mississippi and got his first musical lessons when he became a part of the church choir and got guitar lessons from the preacher who was his uncle.
Soon he started playing on street corners and realized that he could make more performing in one night than what he did working on the cotton fields for an entire week.
King then decided to hitchhike to Memphis which was known to have a thriving space for aspiring black musicians. He stayed with his cousin Bukka White who would taught him the art of blues.
