For BB

There's dirt-poor and then there's the poor into which he was born. Mississippi in 1925, not to mention a prevailing culture at the time that immediately dismissed him because of his skin color. He grew up understanding these realities, but somewhere along the way he dreamed of changing his reality. Then he found the guitar...or maybe the guitar found him.

He taught himself to play it,  and since he'd already been singing in his church choir, he added vocals and created a signature sound that was simultaneously sweet and powerful. He sang on street corners, then began getting invited to play a date here and there. He thought if he could get to Memphis maybe he could get on the radio, and then maybe he could cut a record. Of course, he made it to Memphis and the radio and record gigs happened. And from Memphis, he took the blues to the world.

He was part of the musical lineage that produced Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin' Wolf, Freddie King, Albert King, and many other artists who made the Delta Blues the most powerful music the world has ever heard. And of that group, he was the one whose music traveled the farthest, not only in terms of audience, but influence. He was King of the Blues. He was BB King.

His music lit a fire under young English musicians named Clapton, Richards & Jagger. Two brothers from Florida named Allman were also ignited by the same spark, as was a kid from Texas named Stevie Ray Vaughn. Two Irish kids who'd later come to be known as the Edge and Bono heard his music and love came to town. Today young guns like Gary Clark, Jr. and John Mayer are playing BB's licks.

And then there are the rest of us, those of us who discovered him and thought we'd stumbled upon something new, only to later find that he'd taken something very old and primal and made it even more powerful. The first time I heard "The Thrill is Gone" I wondered why I was just now hearing this, even though I was only 16 at the time.

He carried himself with grace and humility. He loved music and he loved people. He always remembered the place he came from, and carried its influence with him everywhere he went. He was friends with Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, and Frank Sinatra, but he never stopped being that shy kid from Indianola.

He left us last night at the age of 89. Everywhere I've gone today he has been part of every conversation. His music and life transcended race, age, and eras. And it will continue to do so. The thrill will never be gone.

Long live The King.