B.B. King Called This His Best Live Performance

[@dee_dee_place]

I had the opportunity to see Mr. King the year before he passed. What struck me the most about Mr. King, wasn't his musical prowness, which I already knew he had, but it was his generosity. There was a young kid in the audience (~10 yrs old) with his Dad. The kid had his guitar with him & he wanted Mr. King to sign it. Mr. King had his security people go over to the kid, pick him up out of the audience, bring him to Mr. King, who signed his guitar, & then they brought him back to his Dad. The look on that kid's face was absolutely priceless; it was a memory he will never forget.

[@bcssylf]

and then dad said thanks son, now lets sell this thing 😆😆😆

[@dee_dee_place]

@@bcssylf Now, now. Actually, the Father smiled, waved to Mr. King, & called out "thank you".

[@MRBrien77]

That's an awesome story

[@Jadeserphant]

Im so jealous.. He was on my "bucket list" but I never managed to see him. My biggest regret in life.. sigh. He was amazing.

[@jorgeorozco5417]

One of my biggest regrets ever. He came to AZ right before he died. I couldn't go. A legend!

[@TK-fk4po]

My favorite line “I bought you a ten dollar dinner, you said “thanks for the snack””. I am glad to have seen him numerous times before his passing.

[@surlechapeau]

B.B. could make his guitar talk. That's what the best bluesmen can do. He felt every note and every word, and made you feel it too. Thanks for this video Jamel!

[@unclephil7650]

In the 80s and 90s I was blessed to see BB King three separate times. Those concerts to this day remain some of the best experiences I ever had with music. The man was a treasure and my heart was broke when he died. He died right here in Las Vegas where I live. Long live B. B. and the blues!

[@Jadeserphant]

Best. Blues.. Song.. *Ever*! Best Blues line ever too "I gave you seven children and now you wanna give them back." Ah man, this is my favorite of his. Glad to see you do some more Blues.

[@m.r.jarrell3725]

The man felt every note he played and it's written on his face every time! The master of Blues!

[@lolamagenta]

B.B. King wrung every single note that existed and then some from his guitar, Lucille. No one comes close to his playing and singing, True blues, delta country, smoky-voiced, growling blues. I can never get enough of BB

[@peterjarvis7335]

I had the good fortune to be able to see BB King once before he died. It was in my hometown of Sacramento CA, and it was one of the greatest moments in my life because BB King is one of my biggest guitar heroes. He even pointed at me and gave me a thumbs up! I was so excited about that! Rest easy BB King!

[@nancy9891]

My favorite concert was “Live at the Cook County Jail” in Chicago. I was not an inmate but heard it over the years. I saw him in Chicago with Bobby Blue Bland and they had the audience on their feet!

[@rhonnachurch6929]

Very nice memory! Thank you for sharing that🤙🎸

[@loadedorygun]

I love the old lady who introduces him and like someone today who might say it’s ALL good, she called him “THE Man.” Lol

[@karaminalee]

You had me at B.B. 🥰 Man oh man, the story he can tell with a few beautiful notes. (What a treat, my favorite song of his.)

[@ecce_neru]

My favorite BB King experience was seeing him play a live performance in Vancouver, BC during the PNE exhibition on the Aqua-Stage August 30, 1989

[@jackscott5593]

I used to work at BB's place on Beale back in the 90's. When he would come to the club, he was always friendly and willing to talk to the staff as if he knew us. One evening, at an outdoor show on the river, a father lifted his child up to the stage to give BB a bouquet of roses. BB motioned for the band to keep playing while he retrieved the roses. He handed the roses off to a stage hand and took a gold chain from his neck and placed it on the child's neck. Myself and two Memphis PD stayed close by them for the remainder of the show and afterwards we escorted them to their car. He was a kind soul and always had time for his fans. He was a national treasure and is sorely missed.

[@claytonflinchum3962]

I was fortunate to see BB 3 times,he never disappointed

[@lisaa6755]

he was on my plane like 15 years ago. he was in first class but not all his posse. one of them sat in my row and it was fun to hear his stories. very cool AF.

[@temporarysaint740]

his performance of How Blue Can You Get , from li Live at The Regal will make you smile, frown and everything in between. Absolute Gem

[@updem]

I saw him twice, once in 2006 in Detroit with Al Green. Awesome show, and he had some amazing stories, then again some years later in the UP, he was noticably older, voice a little weaker, but he stayed after the show and talked with the folks in the first few rows for about 25 minutes after the show. My friend was working the front desk at the hotel and later that night BB came down and gave her some tour collectibles, a signed photo, and talked with her and her boyfriend for about 15 minutes. He was always generous with his time. One of the finest humans we have had walk a stage. It was an honor and a privilege to share a room with this man for a few hours out of my life. I'll never forget the electricity in the air when he would strike the first note on Lucille.

[@jathygamer8746]

OMG! Finally a reactor who I follow does this video! "How Blue Can You Get" 🎧 💓 🎶

[@puddysue]

Not just B.B.'s phenomenal playing... but also that voice!!!!!

[@billofalltrades2633]

Love me some B.B. King!

[@jasonremy1627]

He has such an amazing touch. So light and expressive.

[@deborahcornell171]

First time I saw him on TV I was a kid. But I knew he was something special & immediately loved his music. This was a fun performance. Thanks.💙☮

[@timothy4664]

Cook County Jail. September 10th 1970. One of my favorite recordings. I love BBs work with Albert King. Jamel, you should check out some of their stuff together. They have some great stuff with SRV too. They both loved SRV like a son

[@Sometimes-even-lyrical]

Smooooth, with that unmistakeable tang in each exquisite note. Both guitar and vocals vibrate and shine. Thank you, B.B., for your glorious, expressive, and authentic music.

[@sheilazito121]

This IS blues. Love, love, love this!

[@Gonzo614]

How Blue Can You Get it was recorded on Thanksgiving 1972 inside Ossining, NY's infamous Sing Sing Prison.

[@adancer3592]

I've been to 20+ of His shows over my lifetime. Always a great time

[@judedornisch4946]

I had the great good fortune to actually run lights and sound for BB for several shows. These where straight up bar shows with just him and whatever band was scheduled to open and support him. Four different bars, four different band one awesome show regardless. Let me tell you those backing bands never sounded as good he just brought the peak out of them. Just a total pro. The first night he was late and said exactly four words to me, monitor, kick base and vocal. Sat down turned to the band said three bar blues on one and just went off, let the band settle and that was all he needed to get into it. Lucile was singing from then on. Did some shows with Muddy and Albert but with what BB had to work with it was transcendent. The Pros are truly Pros

[@dangould7679]

When was this? Because I have never ever heard of BB King touring as a single with pick up bands and I am pretty sure never mentioned in his autobiography. His one-nighters in the 50s were with HIS orchestra. I can't even imagine he did this in the 60s, and post "Thrill is Gone" he absolutely did not show up anywhere to play with a bar band. If you said this about Lowell Fulson I'd say absolutely, that's how he rolled. Muddy - I also totally doubt. And Albert? He drove the damn tour bus himself! So I am calling BS unless you've got some proof. Oh and by the way, what the hell is a "three bar blues"?

[@rhonnachurch6929]

@@dangould7679 sounds like you are pretty sure about all that, and why would it be worth alotta crap to impress people in you tube comments.... I think it's more possible that you have missed out on this tour time period, then the possibility that the sound person has any reason to make up a story.... I say they have their reciepts to prove thier story. I got to see BB King at the Hollywood Bowl at Griffith Observatory along with SRV , and it was sadly shortly before Stevie Ray Vaughan was called home.

[@judedornisch4946]

@@dangould7679 1978 or 79 was a while ago. But that was right at the time he actually was not touring doing at best one concert a year and was surviving on Walk ons and bar gigs. Muddy and Albert managed to keep their bands with them, which was made BB really stand out. Heck James Brown as playing bars around that time was scheduled to do two shows with him one in a bar in Minot North Dakota that he skipped out of after a show at the Cabooze a bar in Minneapolis. Not really something you dwell on in an autobiography is it. It is a brutal business that he regained standing is a testament.

[@dangould7679]

@@judedornisch4946 You mean this happened sometime in two years during which time he performed 65 and 84 concerts worldwide respectively? Including dozens of theaters, music halls, and centers for the performing arts??? www.setlist.fm/stats/concert-map/bb-king-2bd698fe.html?year=1978 Oh but he only did one concert a year 'at best'. You sir are full of it.

[@dangould7679]

@@judedornisch4946 More: You say he 'sat down'? Why don't you check out the many videos on this site that come from 1978. BB hadn't started to sit down when he played yet. Didn't do so for at least a decade maybe 15 years. And check out those performances: they are NOT pick up bands. He had his set list including tunes like Caledonia - which is well-practiced, well-oiled OWN BAND played exactly like he wanted them to.

[@sixslinger9951]

he was absolutely in his prime. He had total command of the fingerboard and his phrasing and vibrato are world class untouched. RIP

[@garybrumley3519]

Got to see BB King and Buddy Guy together in Norfolk in 2011. One of the bests concerts I’ve ever seen, especially with those two legends. Buddy played for about an hour before Mr. King took the stage. He sat through his set, but he was totally in control. He tossed souvenirs into the audience and I was fortunate enough to get one. It was a necklace with a plastic replica of Lucille attached. I’ve still got it and will always cherish it in his memory.

[@alpetrocelli4465]

I was fortunate enough to see BB King several times, including a venue that only seats 700 in Chicago. He was the best.✌️❤️🎶

[@lostgrenadier]

Just awesome! BB is the king of blues!

[@baskervillebee6097]

B B King singing the "One Shoe Blues." Please watch this. Children's song, but it's BB King a few years before he died.

[@mgordon1100]

I've been lucky enough to see Jerry Garcia play with The Dead too many times to count. I caught Pink Floyd twice with all the lights and pyrotechnics you can handle. I saw Roger Waters several times, with his surround sound and an amazing artistic visions. I can go on and on with the best of the best in shows I've seen, but nobody blessed me as much as B.B. King back in 98.

[@delsol6573]

Much love brother, thanks for the great content 🔥❤️

[@TracyfromNC]

Love throwbackness. Keep it coming!

[@stevestalock3200]

No argument with BB that this was a great performance. How Blue Can You Get?? BB reprised this song with an all-star band in a Blues Brothers movie under the name of The Louisiana Gator Boys. Look it up!!

[@davidgilmour3954]

I was lucky enough to see BB late in his career (1990ish). Because of diabetes hurting his fingers he could only play for half an hour or so, but man, he could still make Lucille sing! What a treat!

[@danielolson5378]

In the early '90s there was this music & food festival in the heart of my city and the last act to play the first night was B.B. King. Me and my buddy asked the guards/staff where the artists were staying, it was a hotel not far from the festival area. We went to the hotel and eventually Mr King himself arrived and i got his autograph and also got to shake his hand!! One of few things in my life i'm really proud of!

[@TonyM1961]

I sincerely hope that they put Lucille in The Smithsonian. One true legend to remind us of another

[@mgordon1100]

That guitar is just as much a part of American history as the cracked liberty bell. If I could go to the Smithsonian back in 1980 and see The Fonz's original leather jacket, then this guitar deserves a spot front and center.

[@sharonannsharonann260]

B.b. King with his guitar Lucille original he called that song "Downhearted" but when he released it the next year he renamed it "How blue can you get" Mr. BB King...the man who made his guitar talk. God-given Talent, and a Class Act. You are keeping Good Music Alive, my friend. Not that I doubted you. As usual, a pleasure. Thank you. Peace Rock on Being it Junetenth... well at least when I'm watching it it's extremely relevant, and well done. B.b. King helped Medgar Evers brother Charles he was very involved in civil rights movements.

[@rickwilliamson9248]

Looking at B.B King playing, we can see where Jamel gets his "Stank Face." B. B. was absolutely amazing... a true national & musical treasure.

[@rooster9750]

When i was young my dad would play thisrecorded tape he had of of different blues artist hes fav was bb king funny thing he dint even understand English at that time he would just feel the music .im so happy i grew up with the blues in the background

[@vaha9597]

Cook county jail 1971 in Chicago

[@markinator8826]

I Love the Beale Street Blues Boy!!! I saw BB twice and have to say he was a class act and master showman!! Miss You BB!! 😪

[@robertwatson39]

Man I'm as white as and I love BB. When he got with Eric Clapton for the album Riding with the King blew my mind.

[@pwedza]

this show was in Sing Sing prison which is why he was talking about getting processed in. probably a contextual thing for Mr King in his feeling it was a best show.

[@alipanroosendaal9503]

What a glorious way to start a Friday morning. Impeccable stylist.

[@traceyraffle6675]

B.B. and Lucille were a magic combination :) He could sure make that guitar sing :)

[@NyMyers64]

Definitely would recommend Live at the Regal, released in 1965, as a top quality BB King album.

[@paulinwoburn9680]

After B.B King died I read about his Live at the Regal album, bought it, and was blown away at how great it was. And I've always been a fan of his.

[@chrisa4695]

I saw BB King at Chastain Park in Atlanta about 20 years ago with The Fabulous Thunderbirds as the opening act.

[@michaelmyler3125]

It would be nice to see you do some bachman Turner overdrive

[@jenniferandrews1917]

This was great. I’ve never seen it before.

[@jamesrapp9778]

My favorite is the thrill is gone the thrill is gone with Eric Clapton B king I didn't became an/and/and many others others the groove was amazing. Dorry I'm nlinde. Cheers for the video 😎 👌

[@caroleann_2142]

Mr. B.B.KING ABSOLUTE LEGEND, I LOVE HIM, HE TAUGHT SO MANY THE BLUES💙🥰💙

[@mminter50]

Ain't funny how listening to the blues can make you smile and feel happy?

[@lancerx1759]

BB King on Sanford & Son playing this was Epic !!!

[@sonjaistheone4614]

One of my favorite episodes! It sounds hilarious. They also had him on The Cosby Show too.

[@ruthcrawford3015]

Got to see BB King in Las Vegas one time!! What a treat that was!!

[@craigbillingsley9466]

amazing performance, thanks for sharing!!!

[@ginalmarton2002]

Do more BB King! Hes real good

[@robertdepolo5094]

I'm so glad I saw BB King in the early 90s. He was amazing.

[@getexis8685]

Mr. King always electrifies me.

[@fenderchamp8241]

BB played on Stones Get Your Ya -Yas out. Excellent!

[@neilsoulman]

This is from his performance at sing sing prison in NY, but some of your subscribers might know it from the stones concert, or "live at cook county jail' I know the song well ! Leonard Feathers wrote it for "the three blazers" originally in the late forties as blues with piano accompaniment, under the title, "downhearted," BB covered the song twice in the early 60's, both as "downhearted," and "how blue can you get,".. heard here, with added narration by King, extended riffs & runs and slowed down a bit from the original.

[@baddbradd89]

he's a national treasure

[@adobbs92117]

He was talking about the whole performance. I’ve heard him talk about the concert at that prison. Much like Johnny Cash’s San Quinton concert.

[@kristahartmann1628]

B.B. King & Clapton..."Riding With the King". The cover of the jacket is great also.

[@johnLA1961]

I'm hooked on King's "My Lucille" from the movie 'Into the Night'.

[@mtsvec]

That concert was in a prison so the audience was not paying fans - many didn't even know who he was, and with his first song he pulled them in, he connected with them, and drove them to cheers. It is a master class in working an audience. The first part when he played so quietly made you be quiet and listen (The man has some skills, the guitar is saying something but I am not sure what, but I am listening), the drop (oh, changing is coming), the lyrics conveyed something we all can connect to the music (you got an evil woman, me too, you said it twice, she must be bad, tell me how that makes you feel), singing raised the volume and energy (yes it does hurt, cause I am a good man and she hurt me, you must be a good man cause you feel my pain, tell me what she did), and the humor sealed the deal (she did what - and that, and oh damn that woman is evil, and you best check to see if all of those 7 kids are yours, just saying cause I have been there). Even the women in the audience were like, yeah that happens. You can just tell he was invested in that audience and carried about a group of people that most had written off.

[@nightmoves60]

Man, he makes a guitar sing.

[@leonardlarsen1225]

He sings this same song on blues brothers 2000 with many other singers. Check it out it’s awesome

[@WyMustIGo]

It was a sad day when he died. That man could make his guitar sing better than a vocalist. His guitar was named Lucille, and the story about that is great (he saved it from a fire).

[@lilfox1967]

B.B. King and U2 have a great song called When Love Comes to Town. You should listen to it Jamel

[@seanroberts6485]

You should do "Ghetto Woman" by him. It's such an emotional song.

[@williamhilton841]

At the end of Blues Brothers 2000 movie there is a star studded version. Check it out.

[@michaellanning9396]

I love this thank u kind sir,

[@bloppysloppy4057]

This performance was from Cook Country Penitentiary in Chicago sometime in the 1970's.

[@kimcutts6153]

Man... He sure could make that guitar 🎸 talk 👄 ❤ 🎼

[@NK-zf5pq]

I think you should do some more classic blues - muddy waters and howlin wolf … and more BB

[@zunbake3]

"the Blues is mean, the real thing"-Stephen Stills

[@BabyFace786yeg]

Amazing

[@ryancorcoran6011]

YOU MUST LISTEN TO HIS FULL SHOW IT IS NEXT LEVEL!

[@Shawn-rq4py]

You should watch “B.B King : The Life Of Riley”. It’s an outstanding documentary of B.B. King. He talks about growing up and how he made it. I’ve watched it many times.

[@chadsekeras9747]

The name is How Blue Can You Get. Never heard this but Jeff Healy did a version that is worth checking out. Also Lynyrd Skynyrd did a thing called The Blues Medley.

[@ابوطالب1985]

B B king 🔥1972

[@Jadeserphant]

It was at Sing Sing Prison in 1972. That's why the quality is sort of rough. I listen a *lot* of old Blues......so do my neighbors. Lol

[@stevejones6247]

the master of the blues

[@michaelfrank2266]

If a sound could be 'sweet,' BB King could play it. This brother is GOAT.

[@carlecat9868]

I suspect BB King was referring to his entire concert in the jail as his best performance, not just this one song.

[@maxdezanet5800]

now thats good music!

[@btrainbraydeboisseranc7570]

B.B. was awesome but gotta check out some Freddie King!💯💯💯

[@bluehorn50]

it was after all recorded in a prion cafeteria (Cook County Jail). I think the setting and event was as important to BB as his performance. He was GIVING to people in need ...

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

He was a class act on and off the stage

[@deannajones3849]

You should check out B B King with U2! They made song called WHEN LOVE VOMES TO TOWN!

[@sunoclockoneday2576]

He was a serious dude . Check him out in Zaire 1974 ✌

[@ericchilders7138]

Simply awesome

[@debitaylor8361]

I like the video of he and SRV. He was one of Stevie's idols

[@ScottyGMusic]

This was in Sing Sing Jail in New York. It looked like they also had Joan Baez on the bill.

[@ScottyGMusic]

There is a version of "How Blue Can You Get" on the Cook County album that is absolutely bananas; the way the band rises and falls, it is his best guitar performance in my opinion.

[@c_fordmike8136]

Sonny and Brownie, The Battle Is Over.

[@Wolfwolveswolf]

~ B.B. KING ~

[@wezzmusic]

Imagine walking into a bar with BB.King n John Lee Hooker. What a fantastic night that would be.