On this day, September 16th, 2024, we celebrate the birthday of the legendary bluesman, B.B. King. Born in 1925 in a small cabin on a Mississippi plantation, Riley B. King grew into the titan we know as B.B. King, a man whose name is synonymous with the blues itself. His journey from the cotton fields of the South to stages around the world reflected his relentless passion, soul-stirring voice, and the unmistakable cry of his beloved guitar, Lucille.

King’s career spanned over six decades, an era defined by his ability to infuse raw emotion into every note he played. His earliest days saw him hustling on the street corners of Memphis, guitar case open for change, a boy with big dreams and the fire to match. It wasn’t long before his talent found a home on Beale Street, and soon after, he became a regular on Sonny Boy Williamson’s radio show. From there, B.B.’s sound became impossible to ignore, and his blend of traditional blues with jazz and pop sensibilities paved the way for him to become the international sensation he was destined to be.

Now, let’s look at 15 of his greatest songs—each one a masterpiece in its own right:

The Thrill is Gone – A haunting blues ballad that captures heartbreak like no other. B.B.’s guitar cries along with him, and it remains his most iconic song.
Lucille – Named after his treasured guitar, this instrumental piece feels like B.B. having a personal conversation with his instrument, and you’re just lucky enough to listen in.
Every Day I Have the Blues – A classic that swings, this tune showcased B.B.’s versatility, blending smooth vocals with a big-band style that still packed a blues punch.
Rock Me Baby – This song rides a groove so deep you can’t help but sway along. B.B.’s voice, full of grit and soul, paired with that simple yet effective riff, leaves an everlasting impression.
Sweet Sixteen – An epic lament spread across two parts, where every single note is wrung out with passion and pain.
How Blue Can You Get? – B.B. is at his wittiest here, with cutting lines like "I gave you seven children, and now you want to give them back." It’s blues with a side of humor, King-style.
Paying the Cost to Be the Boss – A declaration of independence and defiance, B.B. delivers this track with swagger and confidence.
Chains and Things – A slow-burner that builds with a mournful intensity, illustrating the burdens of life and love.
Three O’Clock Blues – His first hit, and a showcase of young B.B. King’s raw, unpolished brilliance. A perfect marriage of voice and guitar.
Why I Sing the Blues – A personal and historical reflection on the struggles of African Americans, delivered with a voice full of pride, pain, and resilience.
Nobody Loves Me but My Mother – A song that starts as a joke but by the end, you realize just how much weight the line carries.
Please Love Me – One of B.B.’s early recordings, it’s a fast-paced, passionate plea filled with youthful vigor.
You Upset Me Baby – This one hits hard and fast, with a driving rhythm and B.B.’s vocals cutting through like a sharp knife.
Woke Up This Morning – Blues in its purest form. It’s the kind of song that makes you feel like you’re in a smoky bar at the end of a long, hard day.
Hummingbird – B.B. teaming up with Leon Russell, this song brings a unique mix of blues and rock, showcasing King’s adaptability and openness to cross-genre collaborations.

One of B.B. King’s defining traits was his generosity in sharing the stage. He performed alongside rock royalty and jazz giants alike. His collaboration with Eric Clapton on Riding with the King introduced a new generation to the blues, while his performance with Bobby "Blue" Bland in Together for the First Time... Live brought the raw energy of live blues to the masses. And let’s not forget his unforgettable jams with U2, especially on “When Love Comes to Town,” where B.B.’s unmistakable style meshed seamlessly with the Irish rockers’ sound. He could bend his music into any shape, yet it never lost its essence—it was always unmistakably, irrefutably B.B.

Now, let’s rewind to a personal story, one that comes from a front-row seat at the Lied Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, in the early 90s. A group of college friends, deadheads at heart, found themselves face to face with the blues legend. They had front-row tickets, the best seats in the house, and the night was already surreal. But in true Grateful Dead fashion, the pre-show ritual involved a tab of LSD, turning the world into a swirl of color and sound. As B.B. King took to the stage, the notes from Lucille seemed to dance in the air, almost sentient in their beauty. Midway through the performance, B.B., ever the observer, noticed one of these starry-eyed young fans—Chris—and called him out with a laugh, “Boy, this kid is sure on something!” It was a moment frozen in time, a connection with the legend himself, one that would live on in memory, as vivid and surreal as the show that night.

B.B. King played the blues with more than just skill—he played it with heart, with truth, and with the kind of wisdom that only comes from living the music. From those early days in the South to his final encore, his sound was the echo of a life fully lived, one note at a time. As we celebrate his birthday, we also celebrate the man, the myth, and the legacy that will continue to inspire long after the music fades. Happy birthday, B.B.