1 / 17 photos B.B. King

B.B. King is the epitome of a living legend. The blues singer pioneered the way for others using only a guitar and his signature soulful voice, seen here as an up-and-coming artist in 1948 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Blues legend B.B. King poses for a portrait with another man that grows to become a legendary musician and producer, band leader Johnny Otis, in 1952 before later moving on to perform as a solo artist. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

B.B. King (C) poses with his bandmates pianist Johnny Ace (L), saxophonist Bill Harvey (3rd-R) and singer 'Big Mama' Thornton (R) at a concert in 1953. (Photo by Frank Driggs Collection/Getty Images)

In order to raise money for a local radio station's charity for pregnancy and baby health in Tenessee, B.B. King, along with several other African-American men, stands and sings on the back of a truck in 1955. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

B.B. King shows that all he needs is a microphone and his electric guitar Lucille Blues to make good music, as he records in the studio in 1960. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

As blues legend B.B. King belts out a note during a performance at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York, he puts his arms around The Soul Sisters, who join him in his 1963 performance. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

While perfoeming once again at the Apollo Theater, B.B. King poses with Rufus Thomas, Eric Burdon of The Animals and others backstage in Harlem, New York, in 1965. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

B.B. King tenderly holds his guitar Lucille in his portrait for Bluesway Records in 1969. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

A warm glow surrounds B.B. King as he plays the blues at the Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, Rhode Isalnd on July 6, 1969. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns)

During an outdoor concert in 1970, B.B. King goes out to the meet with a few crowd members. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

B.B. King shows off his newly acquired Grammy for "Best Rhythm & Blues Performance - Male" for his song "The Thrill Is Gone" in Los Angeles, California on March 16, 1971. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

R&B and soul singers (L-R) Dennis Edwards, Carla Thomas, B.B. King and James Brown take a moment to share the spotlight in a photo taken in 1974. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

With one leading lady in B.B. King's life since he strted his career as a Blues legend, buying a cake for both King and Lucille celebrating 30 years of music was the best, and only, way to go. King received the cake, which reads "BB & Lucille/Thanks for 30 wonderful years," during an appearance on American Bandstand in Los Angeles California on April 15, 1979. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Two artists that have arguably delivered some of the best music that blues and jazz has to offer, B.B. King and Tony Bennett hold their Grammys high at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California on February 23, 2000. (Photo by Vince Bucci/AFP/Getty Images)

B.B. King stands with his long-time friend and attorney, Carver Randle, at the groundbreaking ceremony of the $10 million B.B. King Museum built in his honor in Indianola, Mississippi on June 10, 2005. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/WireImage)

B.B. King gives a big grin as U.S. President George W. Bush presents him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in Washington D.C. on December 15, 2006. (Photo by TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images)

After 60 years of performing, B.B. King still performs the blues for his long-time fans. He's seen performing at Le Grand Rex Club on July 9, 2012 in Paris, France. (Photo by David Wolff - Patrick/WireImage)