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Riley B. King: An Evolutionary Model

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A vocalist and guitarist naturally introduced to a sharecropping family on September 16, 1925, in Itta Bena, Mississippi, B.B. King born as Riley B. Ruler got to be distinctly one of the best-known blues entertainers, an imperative consolidator of blues styles, and an essential model for rock guitarists. Taking after his service in the U.S. Armed Forces, he started his DJ career in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was named "the Beale Street Blues Boy." That's how he got his name "B.B."

King made his first recording in 1949, and the following year started a 12-year-long relationship with Kent/RPM/Modern, for which he recorded a string of rhythm and blues hits, including "You Know I Love You," "Woke Up This Morning" and "Three O'Clock Blues,"

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