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B.B. King returns to play four islands this weekend.

King still singing
the blues at 74

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By Burl Burlingame
Star-Bulletin

You shouldn't apply the honorific "legendary" lightly, but in the case of blues guitarist B.B. King, it fits. A force in popular music for more than half a century, King has been a seminal influence on multiple generations of musicians and fans. He's performing tomorrow night at Blaisdell Arena, Saturday on Maui and Sunday in Kona.

Born Riley B. King in Indianola, Miss., the guitarist perfected his style playing on street corners as a lad; sharp, sweet instrumental notes breaking like waves on the rough, warm rocks of his voice.

He settled in Memphis and absorbed the nickname Beale Street Blues Boy King, later shortened to "B.B." Various radio shows starring King were known as "King's Spot" and the "Sepia Swing Club," and introduced King's style to white musicians throughout the south.

One night, while King was playing in Twist, Ark., a fight between fans set the club on fire. Everyone rushed outside, but King realized his favorite $30 guitar was still inside, and he rescued it just as the roof collapsed. Discovering that the fight was over a woman named Lucille, he named that guitar and all his subsequent guitars "Lucille" as well.

King's first national tour, in 1956, covered 342 gigs in one year. Now, at age 74, he still plays an astonishing 200-plus gigs every year. King has had dozens of R&B hits and his "The Thrill is Gone" was a crossover hit as well.

He continues to win Grammys in the blues category, and last year recorded an album with Eric Clapton. King's latest record is "Makin' Love Is Good For You."

The Kauai show takes place 7:30 p.m. today at the Kauai Marriott Hotel. Tickets are $40; $50 reserved. Call (808)-245-5050.
The Blaisdell show starts at 8 p.m. tomorrow and King's opening act is Willie K. Admission is $30 to $50. Information: 591-2211.
The Maui show is at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. Admission is $30 to $55. Information: (808)-242-7469.
The Kona show is at 8 p.m. Sunday in the Hilton Waikoloa Hotel. Admission is $40 to $50. Information: (808)-886-1234.

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