LAMONT’S MUSIC NOTES-MAY 14, 2019…ON THIS DATE 4 YEARS AGO, “THE KING OF BLUES” DIED IN HIS SLEEP AT THE AGE OF 89 FROM A SERIES OF SMALL STROKES CAUSED BY TYPE 2 DIABETES. WHEN KING PASSED AWAY IN 2015, IT CAN TRULY BE SAID HE INFLUENCED A GENERATION OF MUSICIANS.
IN THE 1950’S KING WAS A MEMPHIS DJ AND STRUGGLING MUSICIAN. KING PLAYED A ROY HAWKINS ORIGINAL ON THE AIR. THE SONG IS ABOUT MOVING ON FROM A RELATIONSHIP. THE SONG WAS ‘THE THRILL IS GONE.’
KING HIMSELF RECORDED THE SONG SEVERAL TIMES, BUT DIDN’T LIKE ANY OF THE RESULTS. THE PRODUCER BILL SZYMCZYK (MOST FAMOUS FOR LATER PRODUCING THE EAGLES) CALLED KING AT 4 A.M. AND SUGGESTED ADDING STRINGS TO THE SONG. KING LATER SAID HE WOULD HAVE AGREED TO ALMOST ANYTHING AT THAT TIME OF THE NIGHT. THE ADDITION GAVE KING HIS FIRST MILLION SELLING RECORD (AND ENDED HIS RADIO CAREER).
THIS WAS KING’S BIGGEST SELLING HIT. COMMERCIALLY HE DIDN’T HAVE MUCH SUCCESS ON THE CHARTS, BUT HE DID BECOME A BLUES LEGEND THAT TOUCHED MILLIONS OF FANS.
HERE’S AN AWESOME VIDEO WITH BB KING, SLASH, AND AN ALL-STAR JAM.
photo thanks-Aaron Warren
