B.B. King

Hailing from the blues-rich Mississippi Delta, B.B. King is the single most important electric guitarist of the last half century and his innovative bent notes and staccato picking style have influenced generations of blues and rock guitarists. He and his guitar "Lucille" have thrilled audiences with countless hits including "Sweet Sixteen” and "Every Day I Have The Blues," helping to give the blues its special place in the American musical tradition.

His gritty and confident voice—capable of wringing every nuance from any lyric—provides a worthy match for his passionate playing. Between 1951 and 1985, King notched an impressive 74 entries on Billboard's R&B charts, and he was one of the few full-fledged blues artists to score a major pop hit when his 1970 smash "The Thrill Is Gone" crossed over to mainstream success. From that time, he has partnered with such musicians as Eric Clapton and U2, while managing his own acclaimed solo career.

Willie Murphy is not just a bluesman. He is a soul, R&B, blues and rock legend who once challenged the Rolling Stones to a pool tournament. In Willie’s words, “The Stones chickened out.” As a charter member of the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame along with Bob Dylan and Prince, Willie is a musical force to reckoned with.

Playing with B.B. King:

James "Boogaloo" Bolden - MD, Trumpet
Stanley Abernathy - Trumpet
Melvin Jackson - Sax
Walter King - Sax
Tony Coleman - Drums
Charlie Dennis - Guitar
Reggie Richards - Bass
Ernest Vantrease - Keyboards