B. B. King American Guitarist Born 1925 in Berclair
B. B. King · guitarist and singer · American
Known for
Biography
B. B. King was an American guitarist born on 16 September 1925 in Berclair. He died on 14 May 2015, aged 89. Among the titles he was known for are B.B. King: The Life of Riley (2013) and Blues Brothers 2000 (1998).
The records show 54 albums and 5 singles released between 1949 and 2012. The first title in the list is Miss Martha King (1949); the latest is Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2011 (2012). Listed genres include blues and rhythm and blues. His instruments include guitar. Releases appeared through Geffen Records.
The records list 12 awards won by him. The earliest win listed is Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987. The list of wins runs up to Americana Music Association President's Award in 2015.
Discography
59 releases| Year | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2011 | Album |
| 2008 | One Kind Favor | Album |
| 2007 | The Best of the Early Years | Album |
| 2005 | B.B. King & Friends: 80 | Album |
| 2005 | The Ultimate Collection | Album |
| 2003 | Reflections | Album |
| 2001 | A Christmas Celebration of Hope | Album |
| 2000 | Makin' Love Is Good for You | Album |
| 2000 | Riding with the King | Album |
| 1999 | His Definitive Greatest Hits | Album |
| 1999 | Let the Good Times Roll | Album |
| 1999 | Live in Japan | Album |
| 1998 | Blues on the Bayou | Album |
| 1997 | Deuces Wild | Album |
| 1995 | Lucille & Friends | Album |
Show all 59 releases
| Year | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Heart to Heart | Album |
| 1993 | Blues Summit | Album |
| 1992 | King of the Blues | Album |
| 1991 | Live at the Apollo | Album |
| 1991 | There Is Always One More Time | Album |
| 1990 | Live at San Quentin | Album |
| 1989 | When Love Comes to Town | Single |
| 1985 | Six Silver Strings | Album |
| 1983 | Blues 'N' Jazz | Album |
| 1983 | Why I Sing the Blues | Album |
| 1981 | There Must Be a Better World Somewhere | Album |
| 1979 | Take It Home | Album |
| 1978 | Midnight Believer | Album |
| 1977 | King Size | Album |
| 1975 | Lucille Talks Back | Album |
| 1973 | To Know You Is to Love You | Album |
| 1972 | Guess Who | Album |
| 1972 | L.A. Midnight | Album |
| 1971 | B.B. King in London | Album |
| 1971 | Live in Cook County Jail | Album |
| 1970 | Indianola Mississippi Seeds | Album |
| 1969 | Completely Well | Album |
| 1969 | Live & Well | Album |
| 1969 | The Thrill Is Gone | Single |
| 1968 | Blues on Top of Blues | Album |
| 1968 | Lucille | Album |
| 1965 | Live at the Regal | Album |
| 1964 | How Blue Can You Get | Single |
| 1961 | My Kind of Blues | Album |
| 1960 | Sings Spirituals | Album |
| 1960 | The Great B. B. King | Album |
| 1959 | B. B. King Wails | Album |
| 1958 | The Blues | Album |
| 1956 | Rock Me Baby | Single |
| 1956 | Singin' the Blues | Album |
| 1949 | Miss Martha King | Single |
| Blues in My Heart | Album | |
| Blues Is King | Album | |
| His Best – The Electric B. B. King | Album | |
| Ladies and Gentlemen... Mr. B.B. King | Album | |
| Love Me Tender | Album | |
| More B.B. King | Album | |
| Now Appearing at Ole Miss | Album | |
| The Best of B.B. King | Album |
Awards and nominations
12 won, 0 nominated| Year | Award | For | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Americana Music Association President's Award | Won | |
| 2006 | Presidential Medal of Freedom | Won | |
| 1994 | Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres | Won | |
| 1987 | Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award | Won | |
| 1987 | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame | Won | |
| Blues Hall of Fame | Won | ||
| Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences | Won | ||
| Kennedy Center Honors | Won | ||
| Library of Congress Living Legend | Won | ||
| Maple Blues Awards | Won | ||
| National Medal of Arts | Won | ||
| star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Won |
Filmography
12 credits| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Soundbreaking | Film | |
| 2013 | B.B. King: The Life of Riley | Film | |
| 2004 | The Road to Memphis | Film | |
| 2001 | American Roots Music | Film | |
| 1998 | Blues Brothers 2000 | Film | |
| 1996 | When We Were Kings | Film | |
| 1993 | Heart and Souls | Film | |
| 1987 | Amazon Women on the Moon | Film | |
| 1985 | B.B. King "Into the Night" | Film | |
| 1985 | Spies Like Us | Film | |
| 1974 | Sing Sing Thanksgiving | Film | |
| Na plovarne | TV series |
Personal life
Marriages on record are to Martha Lee Denton (1946 to 1952, divorced) and Sue Carol Hall (1958 to 1966, divorced).
B. B. King on Social Media
B. B. King Photos
Frequently asked questions
How old was B. B. King at the time of death?
B. B. King died on 14 May 2015 at the age of 89. He was born on 16 September 1925.
What is B. B. King known for?
B. B. King was known for B.B. King: The Life of Riley (2013) and Blues Brothers 2000 (1998).
What is B. B. King’s nationality?
B. B. King was American, born in Berclair.
Who was B. B. King married to?
B. B. King’s marriages on record are to Sue Carol Hall (1958 to 1966) and Martha Lee Denton (1946 to 1952).
Has B. B. King won any awards?
Yes. 12 awards are on record, including Americana Music Association President's Award (2015).
Sources
- Wikidata (Q188969), accessed October 2026
- Photo: John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
Last checked by the Wiki of Celebs editorial team
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