For my blog this time, I will get into another argument about music. My argument this time will be about how BB King is the greatest bluesman on the planet. This is not much of an argument, but, because there are people in the world who wouldn't agree with me, I'll give it a go anyway.
First of all, BB has influenced nearly every major guitarist that has came after him, from fellow blues legends like Buddy Guy and Stevie Ray Vaughan to rock legends like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. A quick look at Youtube will quickly prove this, because there are hundreds of videos of BB performing with the people he influenced, from the aformentioned to John Mayer and Robert Cray. His phrasing, licks, and trademark vibrato have become such an integrated part of soloing that it is hard not to hit a BB lick every once in a while. Just listen any modern blues or rock player and see if his influence is not there.
Along with his playing, BB has penned many of the greatest blues songs, including outright classics such as The Thrill is Gone, Payin' the Cost to Be the Boss, Sweet Little Angel, and Everyday I Have the Blues. These songs have been covered thousands of times by just about every blues and rock band in the world (Even John Mayer, who isn't readily associated with the blues, covered Everyday I Have the Blues on his albums Try! and Where the Light Is). From contemporaries to his fans, BB's songs are as big a part of the blues as his playing, maybe even more.
Well, there is my argument about BB King's greatness. They don't call him the King of the Blues just because it sounds cool. If you need to see another opinion, go to
http://www.bbking.com/bio/ to read more.
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You have interesting points on why you think BB influenced many other guitarists.
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