The Blues Legend BB King died in Las Vegas on Thursday May 14, 2015. He was born in Itta Bena, Leflore County, Mississippi on September 16th 1925 (odly that same day my mum was born in Sheffield South Yorkshire) He was a self taught guitarist who entered the music industry in the 1940s released his first single in 1949, won his 15th Grammy in 2009. Three years earlier in March 2006 on the opening night of his European Farewell Tour I was fortunate enough to get the chance to meet and photograph him back stage with some competition winners at Sheffield Arena. What really sticks in my mind about that night is how genuine he was. He was a true gentleman who influenced not only a plethora of great musicians probably everyone who met him. Below are some of the photographs I shot that night.
The Blues legend died in his sleep on May 14, 2015 at age 89 .King and Lucille playing on the opening night of his European Farewell Tour at the Hallam FM Arena Sheffield 29 March 2006 Photography by Paul David Drabble