B b king biography guitar pick up video

King was already a year veteran bluesman when he began to seep into mainstream America's consciousness during the late '60s, via the praise of rock guitarists like Eric Clapton and Mike Bloomfield and an opening spot on a Rolling Stones tour. A somewhat reluctant B. The result was the now-classic Live and Well.

The blues legend, still on the road at 83, talks about the chequered history of the blues in America.

The session portion went so well, in fact, that a few months later, in September , the group reconvened to record the epic LP Completely Well. The nine-track platter was not only King's breakthrough album, it launched the modern blues era largely on the strength of a crossover smash called The Thrill Is Gone. Just who was this dream team, and what was their hit-making formula?

The scenerio at the old Hit Factory on West 47th Street was as follows: King would stand in the middle of the room and sing and play his songs, and the rhythm section surrounding him would come up with parts and eventually an arrangement. After several run-throughs, they would record a few takes. All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!

Jemmott played his Jazz Bass which would be stolen soon afterward , strung with La Bella flatwounds, and he went direct and through an Ampeg B in the room. Feeling that his sound came from his fingers and the instrument, though, he requested that only the direct signal be recorded.

Learn the inspiring journey of BB King, the greatest blues guitarist, and the 'King Of The Blues!

The Thrill Is Gone is a bar minor blues written by fellow bluesman Roy Hawkins with Rick Darnell that King had been playing as a shuffle for years, but he wasn't quite happy with it. Still, Szymczyk wondered what to do with the tune afterward. Arranger Bert de Coteaux was called in, and he balanced his violins with a stabbing cello part inspired by Lovelle and Jemmott's syncopated interplay.

The track begins with Lovelle's drum fill and Jemmott's pickup note — the move that defines his part — leading into the bar intro.