Riley B. King, known as B.B. King (short for Blues Boy), was the 'King of the Blues.' He developed one of the world's most identifiable guitar styles, characterized by fluid string bending and a shimmering vibrato. His guitar, famously named 'Lucille,' became an extension of his voice. King’s 1970 hit 'The Thrill Is Gone' brought the blues to the pop charts and earned him a Grammy. He was a tireless performer, averaging over 200 concerts a year well into his 70s. King served as a global ambassador for the blues, influencing every major rock guitarist from Eric Clapton to Jimi Hendrix. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, cementing his status as a pillar of American music.