Trivia

Claimed to have fathered 15 children out of wedlock, all with different women. At the time of his death, news sources claimed that his 15 children were a combination of biological and adopted (but did not indicate how many of each), but that only 11 of those children survived him. Those included eldest surviving daughter Shirley King, who was upset that she did not get a chance to see her father before his death.

Was one of the most talented and celebrated electric-blues artists of the late 20th century. He recorded between 90 to 100 blues albums over the course of his singing career and was known for refining electric-blues more than any other blues artist, (a genre invented by the late great Muddy Waters).

He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (1990).

The name B.B. King is short for his first stage name, Blues Boy King.

He played a Gibson B.B. King Lucille. The model he played used to have a Gibson number name, but starting in 1982, after making some special modifications per King's requests, the guitar became the Lucille model.

Won 15 Grammy Awards and sold more than 40 million records worldwide, a remarkable number for blues.

According to Las Vegas coroner's report, B.B. King died from Alzheimer's disease, with type 2 diabetes, coronary artery atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, hypertension and cerebral vascular disease acting as significant contributing factors. He died peacefully in his sleep at 9:40 p.m. PDT, at his home in Las Vegas, NV. He canceled a tour in October 2014, citing dehydration and exhaustion stemming from the diabetes.

He was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington, D.C. (1990).

Mentioned in the song "Dig It" by The Beatles.

He chopped and picked cotton as a boy. He worked on the cotton fields at age 7 and drove tractors. When the weather was bad, he walked 10 miles to a one-room school. He quit in the 10th grade.

Musicians named a section of the guitar's neck after him, their blues idol, dubbing it the "B.B. box". Usually located from the 10th to 12th frets, depending on the key of the song, it's where King twisted and scorched many of his signature guitar licks.

He was awarded the Polar Music Prize, the Royal Swedish Academy of Music Award, on May 24, 2004.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6671 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on August 21, 1990.

Named the third greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine (after Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman, who died in their 20s, an age when King was just getting started).

Was a vegetarian, non-drinker, non-smoker, and licensed pilot.

Attended the opening of the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretative Center in Indianola, Mississippi. (September 2008)

Mentioned in the song "Life Is a Rock But the Radio Rolled Me" by Reunion.

His music inspired Jimi Hendrix, Robert Cray, The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton.

Was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush (2006).

Universally hailed as the reigning King of the Blues and the single most important electric guitarist of the second half of the 20th century.

In a special ceremony at the Library of Congress, Librarian of Congress, James H. Billington presented B.B. with a "Living Legend" medal in honor of his achievements as a musician and ambassador for the blues.

His album "Live at the Regal" (1965) was declared a historic sound and permanently preserved in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.

Toured with the rock band U2. Performed the song "When Love Comes to Town" in a duet with the band from their album "Rattle and Hum" (1987).

Received the Kennedy Center Honors, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the NARM (National Association of Recording Merchandisers) Chairman's Award, among many other awards.

Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame (1980) and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987).

Resided in Las Vegas, Nevada, but Mississippi was his home.

Owned blues clubs in Memphis, New York City, and Los Angeles.

Was friends with Bobby Bland.