Blues musician B.B. King dies aged 89

May 15, 2015



, legendary guitarist well known for tracks such as "", "", and "", died in his  home yesterday at the age of 89.

Attorney Brent Bryson said King died in his sleep.

A 15-time winner, with over 50 albums released, King played live for nearly 70 years. He had reportedly collapsed at a Chicago performance back in October, and blamed dehydration and exhaustion for the incident. King recently was under hospice care at home, after being treated for diabetes and high blood pressure in hospital. The last public statement B.B King made, according to , was early this month. He said, "I am in hospice care at my residence in Las Vegas. Thanks to all for your well wishes and prayers."

Known for playing the blues on his called Lucille, B.B King was admired by many musicians, including, ,  and. The and  both inducted him in the 1980s; and the  recognized him with a lifetime achievement award in 1990. King also collaborated with other music artists and bands. In 1989 he played with on their track "", and in the millennium, worked with Eric Clapton on ""; which received a Grammy that same year.

Riley B King, who would eventually be called the King of Blues, grew up in where he lived on a plantation as a sharecropper. He found success in the 50's with hit track "", and was well-known for not singing and playing guitar at the same time; a between his vocals and his Lucille.

With the news of his death, many musicians payed their respects through. Guitarist wrote, "My friend and legend BB King passed. I'm so so sad, he was so great to me. We've lost the King. My love and prayers to his family." ' also wrote, "God bless BB King, peace and love to his family".