Friday 80s Flashback for May 15, 2015 (Farewell to a King)

B.B. King performing in New York in the late 1980s
Photo Credit: "BBKingNY" by Ronzoni - Own work.
Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

[Farewell to a King] -- I'm taking another break from following the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1981 and 1987 this week. The reason this time: To honor the passing of a legend: B.B. King – born Riley B. King on September 16, 1925 – died on May 14, 2015, at the age of 89. He started his recording career in 1949 (with his famous guitar, Lucille). And, at the time of his death, he had a discography that consisted of 43 studio albums, 16 live albums, and 138 singles. He is also credited on countless other releases by other artists. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. You can visit The Guardian for BB King: chairman of the blues – a life in pictures. And you can check out a few of his 80s highlights after the break.

Flashback #1: "I did what I did before love came to town."

Bono of U2 wrote "When Love Comes To Town" for B.B. King in the 1980s. And then they got to record it with King at Sun Studio in Memphis for their 1988 album, Rattle and Hum. U2 also got to perform the song with King on 11/24/1987 in Fort Worth, TX. Rehearsal and live footage are featured in the album's accompanying rockumentary.  

---

Flashback #2: "You can do anything but lay off of my Blue suede shoes."

Check it out! B.B. King, Keith Richards, Carl Perkins, and others jamming on "Blue Suede Shoes" during the 1987 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

---

Flashback #3: 

B. B. King playing live in Dallas on the Brave TV Network (1983). Full concert here!

---

Once again, I remind you that the rule of three applies when doing Flashbacks. As I've made my three offerings, that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the archives. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.

And if you are on Twitter, and feel so inclined, please +K my influence in Music on @klout.

I'll see you in seven!