Posted on 01/21/2006 12:06:36 PM PST by kiriath_jearim
BB King to stop touring overseas
BB King recently celebrated his 80th birthday
Blues legend BB King will embark on his last international tour on 16 February, he has announced, although he said he will still make US concert appearances.
The singer, 80, will start his Farewell Tour in Chicago and it also includes a five-date tour in the UK starting at the end of March.
King has been performing since his big break in 1948, scoring two US number ones and numerous other hits.
"I hardly remember I'm 80 unless I have to run up a hill or stairs," he said.
"As long as people buy my records and come to my concerts, I don't see anything else I'd like to do."
'Clock is ticking'
His publicist said he had toured every year for 60 years.
"I think the clock is ticking, yes," King said.
"In fact, I know it is. Frank Sinatra sang about the September of (his) years. I think I'm in the November of my years."
During the 1950s King was averaging 275 concerts a year, while in 1956 he notched up 342 gigs.
On an album to celebrate his 80th birthday he was joined by Eric Clapton and Sir Elton John on duets.
A $10m (£5.6m) museum is set to open later this year in the Grammy winner's native Mississippi.
Saw him in Houston in about the mid 1970s and also saw Ray Charles then. I think at Jones Hall. GREAT SHOW!
Lucky you !
I saw him just last month. It was one tight concert. He played for about eighty minutes straight. No encore, but a fine set to be sure.
"Hey everybody, let's have some fun,
"You only live once and when you're dead, you're done...
"So let the good times roll,
"I said let the good times roll...
"Don't care if you're young or old, get together and let the good times roll."
"The Thrill Is Gone!" I love BB King.
I saw BB King in the early 90s at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA.
It was billed as his farewell tour--he was going to stop touring.
Since then, I smile and laugh each time I see that he is still actively out there, making the tour stops.
Three Cheers for a man who does his "work" so well, is loved by so many. I hope he can live and play and sing another 100 years.
We met him in the lobby on his way to his buss. I shook his hands and told him he was my favorite musician in the whole world.
That "thrill" isn't gone at all.
BB is a class act on and off stage.
When the old man is gone I hope the put 'Louise' in a place of honor in the museum. Some one should take it out and play it every year on his birthday. I can not think of more fitting tribute to a fine man.
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
BB use to play the Golden Bear in Hunt.Bch in the 70's. One time my husband got us backstage and BB drank champagne with us and personally signed his press photo for me. Very nice man in addition to being my absolute favorite.... loved Hummingbird....
Hummingbird.
Lucille is the name of his axe.
I got to sit with Him and Bonnie Raitt at Buddy Guys B-Day party last year in Chicago.
muawiyah, what's happening here? We agree on something!
Blues Boy King - an American treasure!!!
While stars are falling all around him, more power to him and his work.
It will be a sad day when The Thrill Is Gone for good.
(That's a pun ~ how'bout them pittures too).
When love comes to town
Saw BB King at Newport Jazz Fest back in my single days. He was the hit of the day. Going to see him again in March. Bringing my mom and 11 yr old son. Should be great.
We've also been lucky enough to catch him twice over the past few years at the B.B. King Blues Club in NYC's Times Square (excellent musical venue) - front row seats both times. I guess you can say we're big BB King fans. ;-)
The man is a class act, and still has an amazingly clear and strong voice. My husband and I marvel at how this 80-year-old can still make that guitar sing...
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