I think it was B.B. Kings 16 Greatest Hits...a cassette. It was my Daddy's. I appropriated it...and the family tape recorder and played it everywhere I went...which, at this point in my life, was limited to the front and back yard.
This is the song that did it to me...I wrecked that part of the tape. Play, Rewind, Play, Rewind, Play...until I had every hiss memorized. Which was good cause I'd shredded it by then.
King was my Daddy's favorite and I remember one night as a small child being baby-sat so him and my Momma could go see him. It seemed like magic to me...that they could go and see a person from the records. I tried to imagine what it would be like.
Two years ago we were able to take The Boy to see him. It was a rough night on a four year old but, he made it long enough to hear King sing You Are My Sunshine...and that was long enough. It was priceless watching his face.
Keep an eye on your computer for this one...the first few minutes might melt your screen.
As a rule, I am loath to join in with moments of mandatory mourning but, King's music was an integral part of my childhood. As a corporate loss it's crushing, even if not shocking...you can't replace Southerners like this.
A heartfelt tribute Erik
ReplyDeleteBut hopefully not too heartfelt for public consumption. Don't want to embarrass anybody here.
DeleteI imagine it's gonna get pretty thick in these parts over the next few days.
I will freely admit to being chapped that he popped his in the most plastic city on the planet.
It's great that you took your Son to see BB. What a story to tell his own kids and Grandchildren one day, fabulous. I saw BB just the once, in 1982, on a triple header bill with John Lee Hooker and Bobby 'Blue' Bland. All three were on stage together for the encores. That was a night.
ReplyDeleteJohn Lee Hooker!
DeleteSince we're telling stories...one night, a school night, my Momma comes in my room after bedtime and says "get up...we want y'all to see something."
The Blues Brothers were on, this was way before we had cable and catching a movie like this was a rare thing..."we want y'all to hear the music."
I stumbled into the living room and dropped down on my pillow, looked up and there was John Lee Hooker on tv...sitting in the middle of the street, growling over a guitar. To my adolescent mind...the stare on his face...it was a kind of cool I hadn't even perceived at that stage in my life.
I never got to actually see him. Dammit.
The Boy was very concerned tonight about what was going to happen to Lucille.
DeleteWonderful tribute to a true giant.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Pretty easy to do...just post some of his songs. Unbelievable.
DeleteAye to all of that.
ReplyDeleteSwiss Adam
On top of all that...he also made a guest appearance on Sanford and Son.
DeleteSuper Hero.
Great photo of BB King at the start, Erik. I'm playing Sweet Sixteen so loud through the B&Ws here the GNR might come banging at the door. These boys carry guns, too.
ReplyDeleteBarricade yourself in George.
DeleteDon't let 'em take you alive!