Today, September 16th, 2025, marks what would have been the 100th birthday of B.B. King, the man whose very name is synonymous with the blues. Born Riley B. King in Itta Bena, Mississippi, in 1925, he rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential guitarists and performers of the 20th century. With his beloved guitar “Lucille” in hand, B.B. King carried the blues from Southern juke joints to the world’s biggest stages, forever shaping the sound of American music.
B.B. King’s guitar style was unmistakable — his shimmering vibrato, bent notes that seemed to cry with human emotion, and an economy of phrasing that spoke volumes in just a few notes. He made the guitar sing like a voice, full of pain, joy, resilience, and heart. That voice influenced generations of musicians, from Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix to Jerry Garcia and Carlos Santana, and continues to inspire players today.
Over the course of his career, King recorded more than 40 albums, won 15 Grammy Awards, and played over 15,000 shows. He was tireless on the road, often performing hundreds of dates a year, bringing the blues to people everywhere and breaking down racial and cultural barriers in the process. He became not just a musician but a cultural ambassador, reminding the world of the power of music to heal, unite, and uplift.
Among his most beloved songs are “The Thrill Is Gone,” “Every Day I Have the Blues,” “Sweet Little Angel,” “Lucille,” “Rock Me Baby,” “Paying the Cost to Be the Boss,” and “How Blue Can You Get.” Each track carries a piece of his soul, and together they tell the story of an artist who never stopped searching for truth in music.
B.B. King’s connection to the Grateful Dead world ran deeper than casual admiration. Jerry Garcia himself cited King as a key influence on his guitar playing, and countless jam musicians have carried King’s phrasing and spirit into improvisational realms. His emphasis on feel over flash and tone over technique resonated strongly with the Dead’s ethos of emotional authenticity.
As we honor B.B. King on what would have been his 100th birthday, we remember more than just a man — we remember a force of nature whose music transcended boundaries. His songs remain eternal reminders that the blues is not just about sorrow, but about survival, joy, and the unbreakable human spirit.
The thrill, indeed, will never be gone.
