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B.B. King is in his late 80s, but the King of Blues is still on stage with his band and his famous guitar Lucille more than 100 nights a year -- a tour schedule that would tax many artists a quarter of his age. He's without a doubt the most well-known and successful living blues artist in the world. A Mississippi native, Riley B. King first built his reputation while working as a DJ, guitarist and jingle writer at the legendary radio station WDIA in Memphis, where he was known as "Blues Boy King" -- a nickname that was later shortened to B.B. He recorded his first album in 1949, and has released more than 50 albums since that have yielded popular songs like "The Thrill is Gone," "Three O'Clock Blues," and "You Upset Me Baby." King, a 1987 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is known for his precise and sparse guitar style in which he plays individual strings instead of chords, coaxing his unmistakable sound by bending and holding notes. Today he plays concerts sitting down because of his diabetic condition, but that doesn't stop fans from scooping up tickets to see this still-vital living legend who influenced guitarists ranging from Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton to John Mayer and Derek Trucks.
You have to see the king of blues guitar at least once! He is the best ever. However, although still remarkable for 87, the show was lack lustre. Too short, I think 6 songs total; including a crowd contest singing you are my sunshine. He was on stage maybe 40 minutes. There were moments but overall, less than stellar!
I should start of by saying I am a huge BB fan and have seen him many times before. At this point its clear that he should think about retiring. The show was just under an hour long and a lot of it was spent talking instead of playing. When he did play, a lot of the notes were muddled and off key. That being said though, a few numbers did recapture his glory days and it was still a pleasure to see him.
The instrumentals were great, the supporting group was good, but not enough songs by BB King and too much talking.
Fabulous!!!!!!! Still has a great voice and can play like the master he is. Wonderful to see him. Thoroughly enjoyed his music and sense of humor. Wish I had known he would sign autographs. Next time I will be prepared. Any chance you get...go see him and his troupe. All fabulous!!!!!
It was such an awesome experience to watch this icon in action! We enjoyed every minute of it and stayed right until he left the stage. I believe he enjoyed himself too, signing autographs until he was 'encouraged' to leave. His band was fantastic, all the music was incredible. Thank you Mr. King!!
I love BB King and after having seen him in the mid 80' and mid 90's where he was fabulous, absolutely fabulous and played each time for well over 90 minutes - I was looking forward to enjoying the man and his music. But I have to tell you that I was extremely disappointed with his performance here at the NAC. I realize that he is in his late 80's but perhaps he should not be performing anymore. I paid over $120. for the tickets and he was done in less than an hour. For 20 minutes his band played while his entourage stood on stage waiting for him to sign autographs. Really!!! Very disappointed................ too much talking between songs - just not enough music!
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a guy! What a band! What a show! Happy Birthday BB..Many more. Long live the King!
All due respect, I am a long time BB King fan. I will not dis the legend however his touring days were over a while ago. I believe he played 5 songs, out of key, forgot the words and the equipment kept breaking down. The band looked like they'de really rather be somewhere else and the drummer just complained to the crew off stage the whole night in front of everyone to see.
I took my mother and nine year old daughter to the show. BB thanked me (and others) for bringing the "young ones" to the show. He called my daughter up and gave her a guitar pick. He waved at her and asked her opinion on whether he should "cut" his drummer for upstaging him (in jest). At the end of the show he signed her poster and let her come upstage for a photo. He then hung around and signed autographs for at least 20 minutes. I love his music and even though he didn't play as long as I would have liked, BB is still KING!
Have always been a fan of BB King. Loved his show when we saw him about 10 years ago in Toronto, Ont. However, after seeing him recently at Casino Rama, we feel its time for BB King to hang up his guitar and retire. His back up band was very good though.
Fantastic!!! What a treat. Wow. Holy crap.and what a band! Unreal.The thrill of seeing him LIVE is not gone! Thank you Mr King, for memories never to be forgotten.
Don't waste your money unless you just want to see him in person. The ratings of 5 are very misleading. Don't know who those people are but I already didn't have very high expectations going in but it was more disappointing than expected. Better to listen to his recordings.
Seen BB King many many times perform live over the years and it broke my heart to see this shell of what he once was. His management should not be sending out this icon of music to humiliate himself.Simply put he cannot perform anymore just sad I left ..........
I was very disappointed by this show. Not that BB King is not a great musician, but he is no longer capable to play longer than 10 minutes. For that reason, the 'concert' was turned into a sort of 'Las Vegas circus show' filled-up with all sorts of stupid pseudo-comic speeches, pseudo-dialogues between the musicians and BB King, or between BB King and the spectators sittings in the first row. Too bad but I have to say that this was the worse show in my life. BB King manager should stop 'exhibiting' the musician as if he were an 'object of curiosity', and book more studio recording sessions.
I was there to see a legend. I witnessed and very much enjoyed a fantastic band. Unfortunately, B.B. King is well past the age where he should be entertaining people. He was only available to us for about 45 minutes and when he played it was minimal at best. Sure, some might say "What did you expect, he's 86 years old?". Fair enough. But they could have organized a warm-up act. The organizers could have stuck a hot-singing female vocalist in front of that excellent band and we could have had a much better and more worth-it entertainment evening. I could have used about half my money back. The blame for this one goes directly to the producers of the show. They tried to sell a show based solely on the legendary rep of the performer, and ended up milking us for a disappointing, and, as he cast out Mardi Gras trinkets from his pockets, borderline pathetic showing of someone I still have respect for as an artist. Go to see the legend, don't expect much of a show, and plan to basically give your money away. Oh, and, by the way, the sound guys at the Jube pulled a few rookie mistakes I thought were surprising, and just a bit annoying. I hope the "pro's" are a bit remorseful....
BB King still plays a mean guitar and his backing band is truly one of the best, he can still rock the house and his interaction with the audience is truly one of heart felt warmth.
If you love the blues, you have to follow the legendary BB King cause darlings he is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If BB ever comes back around I'll be back !
Stinks not worth the money more music less talking
B.B.king Still Rocks!!!! 86 years old and he is unbelievable. This icon has had decades under his belt jamming along with the greats - Muddy, Stevie, Clapton, Buddy, Cray, and yet with that single note, he still makes them look like they need something to learn! Enjoyed the show, and have seen him before, but this to us just cements how the blues really are - full of soul.
BB King in Ottawa NCC centre great venue however for the first 70 min BB did not finish one song . He would play a couple bars then stop have a visit with the croud .After about 80 minutes the visit with the croud became a free for all with BB signing anything and every thing . We waited 15 min or more and it didn't,t look like it was slowing down so we bailed. At first I was very PO paying 300 bucks for 2 tickets and not hearing him complete one song than I thought about how sad the situation is for BB and his band having played together & all most mon stop for over 40 years to see there mentor and iam sure great friend dealing with the ailments of being 86 years old. I did still get to hear BB tell some great stories and I guess in the end that's all that any off us have. All the best to BB king and the band . Still the king of blues in my book.
