Timeline of Blues legendary singer, B.B. King, who passed away at age 89

The world is singing the blues this morning as we mourn the death of the “King of Blues“, B.B. King. Reportedly, the 15 Grammy Award winner had diabetes and his health was declining over the past year. He died late Thursday night in Las Vegas according to his attorney. He died at the age of 89. B.B. King was known for his unique playing style and husky, full-throat vocals.. Let’s take a look back at his life.

1925

Riley B. King was born on a cotton plantation on September 6, 1925 to sharecroppers, Albert and Nora Ella King.

1931

His parents separate and he is raised by his maternal grandmother.

1944

B.B. King gets married to Martha.

1946

B.B. King moves to Memphis and starts working at a factory, where his cousin, bluesman Bukka White works.

1948

B.B. King performs on Sonny Boy Williamson’s show on radio station KWEM. He then ends up landing a steady gig at Sixteenth Avenue Grill in West Memphis.

1949

B.B. King records for the first time, cutting four songs including his debut single, Miss Martha King.

1950

On a trip to Memphis, record man Jules Bihari signs B.B. King who records for Bihari brothers’ RPM, Kent and Crown labels over the next decade.

1951

B.B. King records 3 O’Clock Blues.

1952

3 O’Clock Blues becomes number one on the Billboard R&B hit parade.

1970

B.B. King wins his first Grammy award in the category of Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance, Male for his song, The Thrill Is Gone.

1987

B.B. King is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

2005

February 15 is declared B.B. King Day in the state of Mississippi.

2006

B.B. King starts his farewell tour on March 29, 2006 in the United Kingdom.