“I’m
payin’ the cost to be the boss”
Those are some of the lyrics used by Riley
B. King (or better known as B.B. King) in his hit song “Paying The Cost to be The Boss” as well as the title of the
album. This album was loaded with songs
that have become blue classics and worldwide treasures including “The Thrill is Gone and You Done Lost Your
Good Thing Now”… to just name a few.
Remarkably his life story and how he rose to become an international music
legend, prolific songwriter, singer and one of the greatest guitarists of all
time is simply amazing and inspiring.
If you read his life story, it does not
take long to begin admiring what B.B. King has been able to achieve given his circumstances
in dealing with obstacles, setbacks, a dysfunctional family, divorce, sickness
and Type II Diabetes. However, it has been his love for music, playing
the guitar and singing about what he felt that has become his hallmark signature. Additionally, his music and outlet has enabled
him to touch countless lives over the decades. His music has connected people, regardless of
their background, heritage, and faith in many ways and has inspired others to
push on beyond their limitations and to rebound from disappointments.
He has been recognized with numerous accolades
that are hard to count and continues to grow as he at one time performed over
300 shows each year for over 30+ years.
Some of his honors include Grammy Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement
Awards; inducted into the Blues, Rock & Roll Hall of Fames; Kennedy Center
Honors, Royal Swedish Academy of Music Award, an honorary Doctorate in music by
Brown University and in 2006 the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President
George W. Bush.
B.B. Kings tours have carried him around
the world, including visits by the heads of state of many countries, played and
recoded with other music legends and has even done a gig at the White House and
singing with President Obama in 2012. That
is not bad for a little kid who grew up in Indianola, MS and who now has a museum
in Indianola, several Blues clubs and restaurants in major cities and amusement
parks. His life did not start out this way;
he did not inheritage a silver or golden spoon, but used what he had… “a desire,
dream and gift.” By the way, let us not
forget about…“Lucille”… you got it! … the
guitar. Of course that is another story
all by itself.
What price are you willing to pay to
help turn around urban Milwaukee?
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