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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.
This was probably one of the best shows that I have been to! Mr. King was unbelievable and definitely unforgettable. He captivated the audience and engaged us. He had us laughing, singing and clapping along like a big happy family. He is a real performer and truly a legend.
We enjoyed what there was of this event but thought it was lacking in content. There were very few musical numbers and start to finish was 1.5 hours. At $121.00 per person it was disappointing.
He is indeed a talented man, however I did not appreciate his rhetoric regarding his experience with Viagra nor the appearance of Steven Segal. I left the concert thinking he either has dementia or just an old pervert.
Watching BB King and his amazing musician is a privilege and I will cherish this event for rest of my life. Thank you for bringing this legend to Vancouver I giving this amazing opportunity. Introduction by Steven Segal was unexpected, great experience. Mr. Seagal admiration for the legend is equally shared by every attendee of this performance.
Although it was nice to see his personality when he talked, he didn't perform enough. I am not sure he finished any songs and he only did about 45 seconds of Thrill is Gone. He mostly chatted.
For an old guy he sure put on an enjoyable show. His band was also very talented.
Wow! What a let down! O.K. Steven Seagal introduced him, that was exciting and unexpected. The B.B. King band starts off by doing an on the fly sound-check. Signaling, and flagging to the sound engineer, sound technicians running around on stage, crawling around, hiding behind speakers. Very unprofessional. I will give them a break, perhaps they got stuck in Friday traffic, maybe they didn't have time to do a sound check. B.B. King is brought on stage the usual ceremony everybody goes crazy. His body guards set his chair up, walk him to his chair, adjust his microphone, hang his beloved Lucille over his neck, all this is happening while the band is jamming. Then B.B. start starts jamming/tuning his guitar. A bunch of screeching, and bad notes. I glance around to see if it was just me, maybe I wasn't in the "groove". It seemed other people were doing the same. The couple sitting beside me just shrugged their shoulders, and started clapping as B.B.'s, out of tune solo came to an end. Then he introduced Steven back on stage, everybody clapping, yet no Steven. Then a minute later Steven comes out of the audience from the very back, clapping dieing down now. Finally they do their hugs and kisses and complement each other. Whisper in each others ears and laughing, as we watch. B.B. plays a song, stopping half way through to tell his drummer that he is going to cut him with a knife if he keeps messing around. I know It was part of the show but it dragged on for way to long. Beyond it being funny long. Then he finished the song and goes into a long mumbled story about his doctor, Cialis, relations with a 23 year old, I had no idea what was going on till he played the next song "dirty old man". Before you knew it the show was over. Once B.B. left the stage the theater was empty. The entire show seemed like it was a unorganized jam session. Well I guess he did pretty well for an 85year old, suffering from diabetes, and a bad knee. If I got free tickets I wouldn't complain, but since I paid $202 for 2 tickets, I felt gypped.
I can't tell you enough about how fantastic his show was. What a pro. His band is outstanding. His humour is #1. What a showman. Would go to a show of his every chance I had. Love ya BB COME BACK SOON!!!
What can you say, B.B. King is a legend. Excellent show. Third time I have seen him and would go again
Friday nights performance was short but worth every penny to see such a legend. The crowd was more than appreciative for the man with the voice of the blues. I am so glad I was privedged to see Mr. B. B. King live. Thankyou
It was amazing to be in the presents of some incredible musicians . The intro of the band was the high lite for me. They played to my core, i felt it right to my soul.B.B himself did not do that. I know he is getting on in life and can't knock him for still playing. For the amount we paid for the tickets and the full year that we waited in anticipation,it was a bust. Just part of the blues i guess.
I'm sad to report that Mr. BB King didn't play enough music. I love this man and have seen him many times. I guess @ 85 he can do what he wants but I paid to hear him sing.
BB is 85 years old, so I knew not to expect too much, but the set was less than 1-1/2 hours. There could have at least been a full opening act by another artist. If this were anyone other than BB King I would not recommend it to a friend.
I've been going to see B.B. since the '80's, but haven't seen him live in many years. I would wager to say I got as much out of this show as any I've ever seen. For an 85 year old man to come out night after night and give a solid 90 minutes is amazing enough. His phrasing on Lucille is still the best ever, and his singing is still incredibly powerful and giving me goosebumps all night. Woke up this morning with "I've got a good mind to give up living, and go shoping instead." still going through my head. Everyone in their life time should have the opportunity to be in the same room as this incredible human being just to have the opportunity to soak up some of the energy he emits. Hail to the King!!!
great! band was super tight, bb can really play a crowd. sound was good and i had a lot of fun.
Off the charts. Best Money I ever spent! It was an Honor to sample These mens music. Thank you once again.
Disappointing - too much back-up - not enough B.B. Venue far to crowded with little air-conditioning.
Was my first time seeing these legends live. What an incredible experience. They turned the Fox into the House of Blues.
BUDDY GUY WAS AMAZING AS USUAL AND THOUGH BB'S BAND WAS GOOD IT IS TIME FOR THE KING TO PACK IT IN. HE DID MORE TALKING THEN PLAYING AND MOST OF THE TIME YOU COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT. ACTUALLY I DON'T THINK HE UNDERSTOOD WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT EITHER. IT'S A SAD FACT BUT THE KING IS DEAD. BUDDY GUY WAS AMAZING (his rating) BB WAS POOR.
From the very moment he set foot on stage the energy level emanating from Buddy Guy was palpable. His mastey of that yelow guitar was only slighly undershadowed by his facial expressions and his sense of humour, and he crowd was clearly under his spell from the first moment . Liks and picks were fast and furious as he demonstrated why he is the Hall of Fame...standards were there to be sure, but many songs that I had not heard before were also on the playlist, with the overal effect being one of pure musical rapture. He iscapable of amazing instrumentals and then, suddenly, shifting into a soft voice-over tremolo that you have to forceyourself to hear over your own breath. Magical! BG was acompanied by an ABSOLUTELY fantastic pianoman who, I believe, cannot have any bones in his arms and hands if he can play that fast and that way. He establishd a new standard for key-based R and B while perfectly matching the timing of his boss. If he puts out an album, I'm in line. The lead guitarist of the band was given a numbe of opportuniies to perform solo and did so admirably. Cross-fretting and down-scaling were child's play to him and he performed wth ease. HOWEVER It is unforunate to have to admit that the King needs to consider how to continue to perform (not if). His monologue were long and winding stairways from which he coul not find a door to escape.He even had to ask his key collaborator where he was in his stories and often repeated what he said. Rambling and long...the effect was disastrous. To the trained eye it was clear that his band often covered for him rather than accompanied him. His guitar man filled in for many bars and his horns drowned out the tired and weak picking on many songs. His singing was sill powerful and full of feeling, and his renditions were as heart-felt as always, but it was not the same BBK we remember from even as few as twenty years back when he was only 64!. The band itself is another matter and they may be the last in a small line of full-force, horn-rich blues groups. They were perfect. Not a time-out or bad note in the lot! I suppose that some of those guys will retire at the same time as their boss,but I, for one, would pay to see them play wihout the King.
