B.B. King: Ringo Starr, Justin Timberlake, Big K.R.I.T. & More Remember the Legend
Shortly after the news broke that B.B. King had died at the age of 89, artists and friends remembered the late blues legend on social media.
Ringo Starr, Juicy J, Kelly Clarkson, Lenny Kravitz, and Gene Simmons were among the musicians who paid tribute to King, who died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday (May 14) at his home in Las Vegas.
Below are a number of remembrances of the influential guitarist.
RIP B.B. King. An unparalleled talent. Depth, heart, as real as real gets w/a singular tone conjured from Lucy, pure & beautiful. Thankyou
-- Tom Morello (@tmorello) May 15, 2015im so lucky i got to see bb king play several times. he's broken through the other side. lovelovelove
-- Flea (@flea333) May 15, 2015https://t.co/LIQehjmh4y an absolute one off. a true King of blues whose playing style has inspired and influenced generations of muscians.
-- Dave Davies (@davedavieskinks) May 15, 2015#RIPBBKing You mean more to Memphis than words can say... #LegendOfBealeSt #KingOfTheBlues
-- Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) May 15, 2015"B. B. King influenced everyone in this band, and on a much wider spectrum, rock, blues and jazz. Every guitarist studied B. B.'s playing style, and singers of every genre studied his voice. He is a legend that leaves a legacy of great music and hard work we can only aspire to. He was an incredible man! Gonna miss you B. The music world is a poorer place for your passing."
-- Tom Johnston of The Doobie Brothers
Just read the news about BB King. Very very sad. His music will live on forever. #RIPBBKing
-- Phillip Phillips (@Phillips) May 15, 2015
When I heard B.B. King for the first time he was singing The Thrill Is Gone. The way he played & sang brought tears to my eyes. #RIPBBKing
-- Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) May 15, 2015
Noooo. Rest in peace. Can't believe it. https://t.co/bN3uzgvaud
-- hayley from Paramore (@yelyahwilliams) May 15, 2015
The thrill is gone . Long live the king. pic.twitter.com/W9YD4vxBiE
-- Chris Rock (@chrisrock) May 15, 2015
It's 2:30am. I just found out BB King has left us. I am taking a shot. And I'll be blastin him tonight to ease my blues.
-- Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) May 15, 2015
This morning, I come to you all with a heavy heart. BB King was the greatest guy I ever met. The… https://t.co/HGk9zGdXDc
-- Buddy Guy (@TheRealBuddyGuy) May 15, 2015
Play a BB King song today & remember him! RIP Mr King & thanks for all the Great Music!!
-- Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) May 15, 2015
What a brilliant man you were. One who will forever be noted as such an inspiration to millions globally, RIP #BBKing http://t.co/9G8NEYTmBT
-- Gladys Knight (@MsGladysKnight) May 15, 2015
R.I.P. BBKING the Legend
-- juicy j (@therealjuicyj) May 15, 2015
RIP BB King, one of the best blues guitarists ever, maybe the best. He could do more on one note than anyone. #respect
-- Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) May 15, 2015
Rest in Peace, Mr BB.KING.The game should acknowledge that tomorrow at FEDEX Forum same street area that launched him pic.twitter.com/zCzyJyY3Qs
-- Chuck D (@MrChuckD) May 15, 2015
God bless BB King peace and love to his family Ringo and Barbarax️
-- Ringo Starr (@ringostarrmusic) May 15, 2015
Rest In Peace, B.B. King and Lucille. pic.twitter.com/teenZyymaD
-- Charles Esten (@CharlesEsten) May 15, 2015
Very sad. BB KING: Rest In Peace.. http://t.co/VHNZhg6H2l
-- Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) May 15, 2015
B.B. King. My heart just broke into a million pieces. Not enough space to describe my feelings of the man. Legend, pure, real, teacher..
-- Lee Brice (@leebrice) May 15, 2015
BB KING RIP pic.twitter.com/cQgoZT7lLB
-- MAXWELL (@_MAXWELL_) May 15, 2015
BB, anyone could play a thousand notes and never say what you said in one. #RIP #BBKing pic.twitter.com/YvZYH8hyJE
-- Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) May 15, 2015
Sad to hear B.B. King has left us. I loved collaborating with him, loved his music, & his spirit. He changed music forever. God bless him.
-- Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) May 15, 2015
"Up on a mountain I'm drowning in the sea All the clocks say midnight When the blues come over me" Rest in peace, B.B. King
-- Alexander William (@AlexAllTimeLow) May 15, 2015
"The Blues lost its best friend with the loss of B.B. King, and the music world lost a giant. I was privileged to have worked with B.B. many times over the years and he was not just a remarkable artist, he was one of the sweetest men I've ever met. He united multiple generations with a love for the blues, and I will always recall the joy he would bring to audiences and fellow musicians alike when they were lucky enough to be in his presence. When he said 'I'll play the Blues for You,' he meant it. He enriched the lives and the music of every artist he came into contact with, and it's through his influence and his inspiration that his music will continue to be heard."
-- Ken Ehrlich, ep of the Grammys
"B.B. was not only the king of Blues; he was a real king, a gracious man and leader. No one will ever replace him. I will always cherish the time that I had with B.B. King. He was such an important part of my life. Hanging out with B.B., going on tour with him, going to the White House together, and having conversations are experiences we shared that can never be replaced."
-- Keb' Mo'
"Devastated by the passing of BB King. My favorite blues guitarist. & a truly wonderful man. RIP BB"
-- Slash via Facebook
"So sad about B.B. King passing away he was the first of the great Chicago Blues players I was able to see perform live when I was a kid. B.B. was one of the nicest men you'd ever want to meet and his music was a great influence on me and countless others. His music will live on for forever."
-- Joe Perry via Facebook