Post by philly on May 15, 2015 2:24:14 GMT -5
Blues guitarist legend BB King dies at age 89 in Las Vegas
By Dailymail.com Reporter
Published: 00:50 EST, 15 May 2015 | Updated: 01:44 EST, 15 May 2015
Blues legend B.B. King has died in Las Vegas at age 89, his lawyer says.
Attorney Brent Bryson told The Associated Press that King died peacefully in his sleep at 9:40 p.m. PDT Thursday at his home in Las Vegas.
The one-time farmhand brought new fans to the blues and influenced a generation of musicians with his heartfelt vocals and soaring guitar on songs such as 'The Thrill Is Gone.'
King sold millions of records worldwide and was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
King played a Gibson guitar that he affectionately called Lucille and was not only the undisputed king of the blues but a mentor to scores of guitarists including Eric Clapton.
He was awarded his 15th Grammy in 2009 in the traditional blues album category for One Kind Favor.
Meanwhile, King's daughter recently claimed the blues legend's long time handler Laverne Toney refused to let her take him to hospital after he'd suffered a heart attack.
According to TMZ, there is an ongoing battle between Patty and Toney. Patty reportedly became worried when her father wouldn't eat and his urine turned orange, and decided to take him to hospital
But when Toney - who had the power of attorney over the guitarist - refused, his daughter called the police.
Responding officers concurred that he needed medical attention and summoned paramedics, who then brought him to hospital.
It was then doctors diagnosed he had had a mild heart attack.
Patty and her boyfriend have already accused Toney of elder abuse, as well as burglary. In November they filed a police report accusing her of fleecing up to $30million and several items of jewelry from the 16-time Grammy winner, as well as withholding his medication.
While police investigated the accusations, no charges were filed against her.
BB, whose real name was Riley B. King, was also hospitalized in early April suffering from dehydration, caused by the type II diabetes he has lived with for 20 years.
He was released hours later and reassured fans by posting a message on his official website: 'I want to thank everyone for their concern and good wishes. I'm feeling much better and am leaving the hospital today.'
The musician was known as one of the most robust in the industry, playing as many as 300 shows per year throughout his long career.
He toured as recently as last year, but was forced to drop out suffering from dehydration and exhaustion after a show in Chicago.
By Dailymail.com Reporter
Published: 00:50 EST, 15 May 2015 | Updated: 01:44 EST, 15 May 2015
Blues legend B.B. King has died in Las Vegas at age 89, his lawyer says.
Attorney Brent Bryson told The Associated Press that King died peacefully in his sleep at 9:40 p.m. PDT Thursday at his home in Las Vegas.
The one-time farmhand brought new fans to the blues and influenced a generation of musicians with his heartfelt vocals and soaring guitar on songs such as 'The Thrill Is Gone.'
King sold millions of records worldwide and was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
King played a Gibson guitar that he affectionately called Lucille and was not only the undisputed king of the blues but a mentor to scores of guitarists including Eric Clapton.
He was awarded his 15th Grammy in 2009 in the traditional blues album category for One Kind Favor.
Meanwhile, King's daughter recently claimed the blues legend's long time handler Laverne Toney refused to let her take him to hospital after he'd suffered a heart attack.
According to TMZ, there is an ongoing battle between Patty and Toney. Patty reportedly became worried when her father wouldn't eat and his urine turned orange, and decided to take him to hospital
But when Toney - who had the power of attorney over the guitarist - refused, his daughter called the police.
Responding officers concurred that he needed medical attention and summoned paramedics, who then brought him to hospital.
It was then doctors diagnosed he had had a mild heart attack.
Patty and her boyfriend have already accused Toney of elder abuse, as well as burglary. In November they filed a police report accusing her of fleecing up to $30million and several items of jewelry from the 16-time Grammy winner, as well as withholding his medication.
While police investigated the accusations, no charges were filed against her.
BB, whose real name was Riley B. King, was also hospitalized in early April suffering from dehydration, caused by the type II diabetes he has lived with for 20 years.
He was released hours later and reassured fans by posting a message on his official website: 'I want to thank everyone for their concern and good wishes. I'm feeling much better and am leaving the hospital today.'
The musician was known as one of the most robust in the industry, playing as many as 300 shows per year throughout his long career.
He toured as recently as last year, but was forced to drop out suffering from dehydration and exhaustion after a show in Chicago.
