BB King
Rolling Stone magazine ranked him at No. 6 on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time (previously ranked No. 3 in the 2003 edition of the same list), and he was ranked No. 17 in Gibson's "Top 50 Guitarists of All Time". According to Edward M. Komara, King "introduced a sophisticated style of soloing based on fluid string bending and shimmering vibrato that would influence virtually every electric blues guitarist that followed." King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. He is considered one of the most influential blues musicians of all time, earning the nickname "The King of Blues", and one of the "Three Kings of the Blues Guitar" (along with Albert King and Freddie King) King is also known for performing tirelessly throughout his musical career appearing at 250-300 concerts per year until his seventies. In 1956 it was noted that he appeared at 342 shows. King continues to appear at 100 shows a year...
...and this year he came to Prescott Arizona for one of them! I was amazed and surprised how many young Prescott College students were excitingly telling me about buying their tickets to his show. Something that I am always refreshingly surprised by at Prescott College is the students' general old-soul feeling. Students here are connected in to a kind of groove that speaks of agelessness, often showing a maturity way beyond their years. An appreciation for good music, too, that was before their time in ways but happily interwoven into their experience. Wow, what a cool crowd we have around here.
How awesome, also, that BB King chose to come to Prescott, Arizona of all places to tour. Prescott is blessed with a lot of shows like this: big names that come to this little town because they heard the vibes here were so good. What a fantastic thing to experience, music that is on the same level as many bigger towns and cities. Whoohoo!
So here is a shout out to this amazing performer and the amazing students welcoming him in. Jam on, soul swingers! - Brittany Davis
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