The B.B. King Treasures: Photos, Mementos & Music From B.B. King’s Collection
By B.B. King with Dick Waterman
Bulfinch Press, 160 pp., $40
B.B. King’s extraordinary life story is as quintessentially American as the music he plays. A rags-to-riches tale of how a literally dirt-poor, orphaned Mississippi sharecropper named Riley B. King, through talent, hard work, and luck, became the undisputed King of the Blues. In so doing, he became one of the most influential musicians of the last century, touching millions of people worldwide with his music and earning the love and respect of kings, queens, and presidents. A basic narrative of his remarkable life and accomplishments, in the form of an oral history, forms the crux of this book, published last month on King’s 80th birthday (Sept. 16). While far more in-depth bios of King are available, the real “treasure” of this oversized publication is the beautiful pictures and artifacts that accompany the limited text. Rare photos, out-of-print album covers, concert posters, and lots more intriguing memorabilia make this a user-friendly endeavor for fans and novices alike. There’s also a requisite CD with interview excerpts, unreleased songs, and rare instances of King playing acoustic guitar that helps to flesh out this loving tribute to an American icon.
This article appears in October 7 • 2005.