Blues Legend BB King’s top hits

American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist B.B King passed away on Thursday (May 14). King dies late Thursday at his home in Las Vegas at the age of 89. (Source: Reuters)

American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist B.B King passed away on Thursday (May 14). King dies late Thursday at his home in Las Vegas at the age of 89.

Not only was the Grammy-winning artist known for his maddening guitar skills and soulful bluesy notes, but also remembered for his contribution to music by mentoring some of the greatest guitarists like Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy and Keith Richards among others.

While we mourn the loss of this Blues legend, we remember some of his greatest hits that made him the Reigning King of the Blues.

1) Three O’Clock Blues: Though the song is a cover version of Lowell Fulson’s ‘Three O’Clock Blues’, it became B.B. King’s first big hit, topping the R&B charts for five full weeks.

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2) You Upset Me Baby: This single made it to fourth number one as the King’s R&B hit.

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3) Every Day I Have the Blues: In the seventies, B.B. King would open his live shows with ‘Every Day I Have the Blues’. It this single that made him undeniably the Blues man.

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4) Sweet Sixteen: B.B. King’s career faced a bit of a lull in the late fifties he attempted to play some soft pop ballads. But, he came with a bang when he churned out ‘Sweet Sixteen’.

5) Don’t Answer the Door: This single is notable for King’s more mature guitar playing style that developed around the mid-sixties.

6) Why I Sing the Blues: Why I Sing the Blues has King lamenting about his ageing at the time and has a more contemporary groove than his other singles from the sixties.

7) The Thrill Is Gone: This is one of B.B. King’s biggest pop hits that portrayed his wide-ranging guitar work and vocal melody.

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8) Chains and Things: Around the seventies, King started experimenting with pop-and-rock inspired arrangements.

9) To Know You Is to Love You: This track was co-written by Stevie Wonder and Syreeta Wright. Kings played this song backed by musicians including Earl Young and Norman Harris.

10) Never Make a Move Too Soon: This hit of the seventies went on to become a top 20 R&B hit and was covered by quite a few musicians including Bonnie Raitt and Toni Tennille.

Source:: Indian Express