• From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Topic: BB King talking too much at shows

Back in 2010, I thought he talked a lot at his shows and didn't play enough music. This review of one of his shows sounds like that has amplified over the years. sad

http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/m … 8de3b.html

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
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  • Registered: 2008-06-16
  • Posts: 4,021

Re: BB King talking too much at shows

my mother said that about 5 or 6 years ago, brother and his wife took her to see him. Also that he had another guitarist who handled most of his parts, that he just sort of played along. I was fortunate to see him in '69 or '70, no stories, no added guitarist, he came out and blew us away. I think it would be nice if folks knew what to expect now, but I have to cut him some slack and say he's earned the right to do WTF he wants at this age. I know he doesn't need the money, and that his fingers hurt from playing (diabetes), so maybe he should hang it up.

As corn through a goose, so are the days of our lives
  • jim m
  • jim m
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  • From: Okie City, OK
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
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Re: BB King talking too much at shows

He is eighty ???? his voice still works his hands not so much. It is what it is. I saw him a couple of years ago and he is still entertaining. I saw him the first time in 1975 and all points in between. He is BB and a treasure while he can still tour. I prefer to remember him in his prime but if you haven't seen him he will continue to tour till the day he dies. May that be another decade or more.

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  • Registered: 2006-05-08
  • Posts: 1,996

Re: BB King talking too much at shows

His stories are awesome.  Whatever playing he can or will play is awesome.  His singing is awesome.  B.B. is a human treasure.  While it's not 1970 anymore, his shows are easily worth the money.  Anyone who thinks he shouldn't be slowing down is a moron.

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  • From: Indianola, IA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 4,429

Re: BB King talking too much at shows

I saw BB when I was a teenager in the 70's, funny enough it was on a school jazz band trip that was held where I work part time now....and it was unbelievable!  I do remember hearing "The Thrill Is Gone" and I remember his band had on bright red shirts.....that's about all I remember.

Then my sister and I saw BB at Eric Clapton's Crossroad Festival 2010 in Chicago, where many of us came together to see Joe on the big stage and the Ernie Ball stage. Great performances by Joe!

BB did not come on until the late late evening and it was an extremely long day in the hot hot sun......My sister and I still laugh about it...BB did talk a lot and every time we thought he was going to stop and the show could proceed on to the grand finale he would start up again...the funniest part was the looks on Clapton's face. 
You could tell he was getting agitated about it and would look over at BB and then to Robert Cray and I think it was Jimmie Vaughan...he too thought BB was done and then he would start up again...I should have counted how many times they played the same riff over and over again....there were several little cycles of this and Clapton didn't know how to stop it either....we went from laughing to crying, literally, because we were so worn out from the days activities and heat, but we weren't going to miss Joe in the grand finale so we stuck it out.  We were literally begging BB to stop from our worn out spot on the ground.  Could hardly walk to the car afterwards.....the walking wounded.  So we laugh about it now and have a good chuckle on how frustrated Clapton was...  wink

I can understand the disappointment of not getting to hear him play, but it was still exciting to see him.  God Bless BB King ~ ~ ~

"I'm not nice to any guitar!"      lol
                 Joe Bonamassa 05-03-12

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  • From: Cliftonville Kent England
  • Registered: 2006-07-30
  • Posts: 2,150

Re: BB King talking too much at shows

The Man is a Living Legend, most people know this when going to see him these days that he's not going to shred or do crazy guitar runs with blistering solo's, for gods sake BB is touching 90.

if Jimi Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughan were still touring i would still go to those shows, and to have been in the same hall and to listen em talk would be a lifetime memory, and BB has outlived those 2 by decades, so go listen to BB tell a few stories and sing a little, man if my grandad could still do that, that would be totally amazing.

He is a music Definer, not many have that prestigeous title

............ Michael

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  • From: near Nürnberg Germany
  • Registered: 2008-04-19
  • Posts: 1,204

Re: BB King talking too much at shows

Michael wrote:

if Jimi Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughan were still touring i would still go to those shows, and to have been in the same hall and to listen em talk would be a lifetime memory, and BB has outlived those 2 by decades, so go listen to BB tell a few stories and sing a little, man if my grandad could still do that, that would be totally amazing............. Michael

That´s how I was enjoying my last BB King show two years ago. If you are looking for a guitar wizard you have better choices these days.
Günter

Rock On and Keep the Faith

Guenter's Website

  • gary
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  • From: Palatine Illinois by Chicago
  • Registered: 2006-08-25
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Re: BB King talking too much at shows

I saw him a couple years ago too.Its a fine line with the pace he sets now out of necessity.
He could play a lick or too then have to stop but his tone  still sounded great.
The talking is an issue.It is ok at first but it does drag the show down.
But in the end I was glad to see him (2nd time).I saw him back around 08 when Joe and KWS opened for him and he talked a lot then too!
The last time most of the crowd seemed to be ok with his ramblings so what you gonna do if you want to see him when he is in his mid eighties?
Also hi backing band with horn section kicked it.They usually do some numbers before Bb comes out and I really enjoyed their playing!

Your rock candy baby
Your hard sweet and sticky

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  • Registered: 2008-06-16
  • Posts: 4,021

Re: BB King talking too much at shows

As much as we love him and appreciate his contribution to the blues, imo it's time to call it quits.

http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=862600

As corn through a goose, so are the days of our lives

10 Reply by timalexwar (edited by timalexwar 2014-04-17 15:45:07)

  • Registered: 2014-03-21
  • Posts: 3

Re: BB King talking too much at shows

I heard on the news earlier today that BB King apologized for the show in St. Louis. He said that he had been driving too long, that he hadn't taken his medication for diabetes. It sounded like he knew it was a little bit overboard and he wanted to make it right with his fans. Nice to hear that.

  • Rocket
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  • Registered: 2006-04-26
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Re: BB King talking too much at shows

"Mr. King apologizes and humbly asks for the understanding of his fans."

Doesn't matter to me whether that is a direct quote or just put out by _____, it means a lot.  I understand some people's opinions on him perhaps no longer performing (but disagree, of course).  But it won't (cannot) be done.  When he "meanders" off, well, at 88 I hope to be on the highway of the living, let alone making meaningful or meaningless meandering mouth messages to masses (anyone for that matter, including myself)!

With a rabble yell, I cry More! Less! More! neutral Lord, I was born a rabblin' man... tongue


Ramble ON & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! wink"
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  • gary
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  • From: Palatine Illinois by Chicago
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Re: BB King talking too much at shows

Rocket wrote:

"Mr. King apologizes and humbly asks for the understanding of his fans."

Doesn't matter to me whether that is a direct quote or just put out by _____, it means a lot.  I understand some people's opinions on him perhaps no longer performing (but disagree, of course).  But it won't (cannot) be done.  When he "meanders" off, well, at 88 I hope to be on the highway of the living, let alone making meaningful or meaningless meandering mouth messages to masses (anyone for that matter, including myself)!

With a rabble yell, I cry More! Less! More! neutral Lord, I was born a rabblin' man... tongue


Ramble ON & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

Or born under a bad sign?!

Your rock candy baby
Your hard sweet and sticky

gary's Website

13 Reply by Rocket (edited by Rocket 2014-04-18 18:59:10)

  • Rocket
  • Rocket
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  • From: San Francisco
  • Registered: 2006-04-26
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Re: BB King talking too much at shows

gary wrote:
Rocket wrote:

"Mr. King apologizes and humbly asks for the understanding of his fans."

Doesn't matter to me whether that is a direct quote or just put out by _____, it means a lot.  I understand some people's opinions on him perhaps no longer performing (but disagree, of course).  But it won't (cannot) be done.  When he "meanders" off, well, at 88 I hope to be on the highway of the living, let alone making meaningful or meaningless meandering mouth messages to masses (anyone for that matter, including myself)!

With a rabble yell, I cry More! Less! More! neutral Lord, I was born a rabblin' man... tongue


Ramble ON & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

Or born under a bad sign?!

Dang straight... wink

I wish BB King all the signed, sealed, delivered G smile smile D Luck in the Universe, and continuous enjoyment of his Life Of Riley...

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! wink"
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here.  I mean, there are professionals in here.”
  • From: Moncton, NB Canada
  • Registered: 2013-02-03
  • Posts: 469

Re: BB King talking too much at shows

I'll be seeing him for my first time in July.  I am in the frame of mind that anything he does will be just fine by me.  Yes, I want to see/hear him play and sing, but I can just imagine what stories that man has to tell.

Steve

2011 Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Studio...among others.
Beacon Theater, New York, May 18, 2013/Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea, Feb. 17-21, 2015/3 Kings Tour, Bangor, ME, Aug. 12, 2015