GALVESTON, Texas, Jan 26 AP - Blues guitarist B.B King was hospitalised in Texas for undisclosed reasons but was in good condition early today, a hospital official said.
The 81-year-old bluesman had been scheduled to perform at the Grand Opera House in Galveston last night when he was admitted to The University of Texas Medical Branch there, said Paul McCarthy, a nurse administrator.
McCarthy said King was not in the intensive care unit and that he could be released later today or tomorrow.
A message left with King’s management agency, Lieberman Management LLC of New York, was not immediately returned early today.
With his trademark guitar that he named Lucille, King racked up hits including The Thrill is Gone, Every Day I Have the Blues and You Upset me Baby.
Born on a plantation in Itta Bena, Mississippi, King started out on street corners playing for pocket change, according to his website. He went on to become one of the nation’s most influential blues musicians.
In December, US President George W Bush awarded King the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his musical contributions.
My friends had just gone to see him in Phoenix last week and their son was mentioning last night “Thurs” going to see him when he comes to Vancouver with the whole family.
Hopefully he gets better.
I saw BB while I was living in Virginia in 2005, save your money and buy a CD or two. He can hardly play anymore. Sad but true!
Rupert
CharlieFrancis.com
The best BB King album I’ve ever heard was “Live At The Regal” from about 1971. I bought it on vinyl and had to get it again when it came out on CD