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Hi. I am usually read-only in Notes, but I have had an experience that I
would like to share with music/guitar/blues lovers. I originally
posted it in AFTER_HOURS, and am copying it here.
I can't believe there isn't a B.B. King topic in this conference!!!!
If you've never seen him live, do yourself a favor...don't blow the
next chance you get!
<<< AKOFIN::DISK$FA0087:[NOTES$LIBRARY]AFTER_HOURS.NOTE;1 >>>
-< After_Hours Blues/R&B Conference >-
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Note 23.81 B.B. King 81 of 82
HSOMAI::RENTERIA 83 lines 20-FEB-1992 15:38
-< B.B. KING RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!11 >-
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Hi! I am an occasional noter here, almost always read only. But I
came in this morning *looking* for a B.B. King topic. I only got three
hours sleep last night, so I may ramble and I will *certainly* gush,
but...
I SAW B.B. KING LAST NIGHT!!! Not only that, I actually *MET* B.B.
King last night!!!! It was incredible---truly a peak experience.
He and his band are playing here in Houston this week (tue-sat, two
shows). The late show last night (Wed) was standing room only. Our
drummer (I'm in a band) works at Rockefeller's (the club he plays when
in town) and got me and my roommate (lead singer/bassist) in on the
guest list.
THE SHOW WAS AWESOME!!! I mean, I have a copy of Vol.1 of Greatest
hits, and I've seen him many times on TV, heard him on the radio,
etc., so of course I knew he was *good*, but he totally blew my mind.
He was about 10 times better than I ever dreamed. He played licks that
moved me, and hit speeds I've never heard him hit before. I was
surprised at how good his voice was, too--it sounded great. The band
was tight (they still tour 300 days/year), the showmanship was
excellent, and he had the crowd in his palm all night. He started with
"Let the Good Times Roll", did an hour and ten minute show ("Rock Me
All night", "Nobody Loves Me but My Mama" come to mind), ended with
"The Thrill is Gone" (NO IT ISN'T!!) and encored with a jam, and then
"Said What I Said Before Love Came To Town" ended the show.
WOW!WOW!WOW! Then the night got even better...
As someone mentioned in an earlier note, he does "hold court" after
shows to sign autographs. We waited over an hour in line to see him.
I had the pickguard taken off my Strat and took it with me to the show
for him to autograph. I was planning to be so cool, you know, rap with
B.B. King, and even planned to invite him to a jam at our house on
Saturday night. But when I got up to him, I almost passed out when I
realized it was *THE* B.B. KING! I held out my pickguard, stammered
out "Could I get you to sign this?" He beamed at me (what a great
smile) and said "Sure!". Then--I couldn't help myself--tears welled up
in my eyes and I was so choked up I couldn't speak a word. He signed
and dated by pickguard, and smiled and handed it back. I choked out a
"Thank you." I stood to the side and just cried. My roommate, much cooler
than I, was next, and she got a picture of him and Lucille, which he
autographed to her. She told him we were musicians, and he lit up. He
asked the name of the band, where we were playing, and said he wanted to
come see us sometime!! (He has family here, so is often around when not
touring). She said to him, "She's in my band, too." and pointed to me.
I was smiling as big as I could but still had tears running down my face.
He looked at me and laughed and said, "Look at you! You're so emotional!!
You sweet thing!" *THEN* he said, "Come over here!" and held his arms
out to me...YES!! B.B. KING HUGGED ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then he said,"You must be one of the most beautiful people on the
planet. The world needs more people like you." I am shaken just
trying to write this in! I could have died right at that moment, and
been completely happy. It was total bliss. He was so very nice that I
didn't even feel too embarassed to be so totally uncool.
WOW, oh WOW! Unbelievable. A gentleman, a warm and generous person, a
totally classy human being, and a *LEGEND* of a guitar player. What
soul he emits on stage! What a beautiful soul he has inside. We went
home and listened to his "Best of" album. I couldn't sleep last night from
smiling! and I had to be up for work this morning by 5:30.
I will *NEVER* forget it as long as I live. He made one *completely*
dedicated fan last night, even if I was unable to speak to him.
*IF* he ever did walk in to a club where we were playing, I would drop
my guitar and run off the stage. I am not worthy to play in front of
him. I wear the guitar, and hit chords/pick notes, but after what I heard
last night, I do NOT play the guitar--he and Lucille, *that's* playing the
guitar...sigh!
Sorry to ramble on, but I warned you...and I'm WAY too excited to keep
this to myself. Thought other King fans would appreciate hearing what
a super cool guy he is one on one.
Still High From Last Night,
Anita
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| In case anyones looking for these Legends of Guitar compilation albums,
Lechmere has them in the oldies bins. I picked up the 60s rock Vol I and
II this weekend. Some neat picks. E.C., Peter Green, Mick Taylor, Dick
Dale, Roy Buchanan, Robbie Robertson, Zappa (Mothers), and my personal
favorite, Jesse Ed Davis with Taj Mahal playing "Six Days on the Road".
Damn what a tune.
They had the Jazz and Blues ones, too.
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