Photo: Wenn
The legendary Blues musician BB King has passed away aged 89 in Las Vegas whilst in hospice care following recent health issues - and stars have taken online to pay tribute.
King, the incredibly influential guitar hero who was best known for his blues hits 'My Lucille', 'Sweet Little Angel' and 'Rock Me Baby' has been suffering recent health scares relating to high blood pressure and diabetes.
His career kicked off in 1951 where one of his first releases reached the top of the rhythm & blues charts, he created a unique sound by chanelling the influence of country blues and big-city music. He started touring after his success and never stopped which saw him continue right up until October last year. His six-decade career saw him collaborating with some of the world's biggest artists including Eric Clapton and U2.
Last year the guitarist wrote an apology to his fans apologising for an erratic performance in St Louis, which was bought on by a wrong dosage of medication, it read: "Simply put, it was a bad night for one of America's living blues legends and Mr King apologises and humbly asks for the understanding of his fans." He cared and loved his music right through to the end.
His love for blues and guitar was well documented, in one instance in the early 1950s when a kerosene oven got knocked over at one of his gigs, he fought through the blaze to rescue his $30 dollar guitar - which is retold in the song 'Lucille', also the name of the guitar.
A flurry of musicians took online to pay their respects including Lenny Kravitz, Ghostpoet and comedian come musician Hugh Laurie.
BB, anyone could play a thousand notes and never say what you said in one. #RIP #BBKing pic.twitter.com/YvZYH8hyJE
— Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) May 15, 2015
😢😢😢 RIP BB King...can't believe he's gone...
— ghostpoet (@ghostpoet) May 15, 2015
Oh God. BB King. Let the sad times roll.
— Hugh Laurie (@hughlaurie) May 15, 2015
— Scuba (@ScubaOfficial) May 15, 2015
Good bye BB King... R.I.P.
— Adam Claxton (@Butterfly_bangs) May 15, 2015RIP BB King. SO honoured to have met you sir. A true great. We are a lesser world without you in it. Love and...
Posted by Garbage on Thursday, 14 May 2015
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