B.B. King

I’ve read some of the criticism directed towards B.B. King, and my opinion reminds unchanged. Hell I can play a few cords myself, but I sure as hell can’t play like B.B. Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, nor Monet painted by numbers, I think part of what makes someone great at anything is that they find their own style and perfect it. While I don’t think he’s the greatest of all time, I don’t think he’s out of place in the conversation. You don’t just listen to B.B. play, you feel it. He’s one of the most expressive players I’ve ever listened to.

I wonder if any of the detractors who say BB King plays only the blues pentatonic scale are players of any worth themselves? Having played the guitar myself for 39 years I can assure everybody that BB King relies on the pentatonic blues scale less than most other blues guitarists. He is my favourite because of his emotional expression which is the principal reason for playing music, not to display technical prowess (and he has plenty of that although perhaps a bit too subtle for some) - that is what often impresses young, immature males. Oh, and he can and does play chords but he is not the rhythm guitarist on his recordings.

King is definatly a legend.

As a bluesman - no argument, but no cred as a guitar player whatsoever: he can't play the guitar. For someone to say he can't play chords, yet lay any claim to being a player is ridiculous. Like Michael Schumacher is a world champion driver but can't change gears? Utterly overrated.

Not exactly my thing. But hey...You've got to give credit where credit is due. Afterall, He is the king of Blues.

nice guitar. great sound. amazing voice. terrible guitarist. the most boring live show i've ever seen.

phenominal blues guitarist i'd want him on my funk album..

It would be easy to think less of B.B. King because he is the only blues guitarist that many people know at all. The fact is that he is among the greatest and is well respected by his peers. He has been a great ambassador for the music and induced many fans to listen to other blues musicians..

He is one of the best blues players I have ever heard next to Buddy Guy.

Seen him once would love to go again

Burger King

Bar B Que King

1989, 1998, 2006 - three GREAT shows, '98 was my favorite when my 5 yr old daughter was invited on stage to shake his hand at the end of the show. moment i'll never forget.

yeah boi

greatest!!!!

give a bad rating --was great for his time but overall he plays the same blues leads and riffs for every song

One of the greats. He is like the master of the blues.

A true legend, and one of the best of all time.

Lucile

He is the entire package

Driftwood if finally right.  This guy doesn't belong in the top 100 even.  I wouldn't trust him to teach guitar to my dog.  Congratulations on being a blues master, but guitar wasn't invented in 1930.  There are more than five notes on a guitar and BB needs to learn them.

Love BB, but I consider him a Guitar godfather rather than a Guitar god. With BB it's not the guitar that wows you it's the whole package.

not my style.

One of blues guitars greatest practitioners, and EASILY its greatest and most recognizable AMBASSADOR. The legendary B.B.King is far and away the leading 'brand name' in blues guitar. Equally at home in either the whiskey soaked blues joints of urban Chicago or Memphis, in front of the inmates of the Cook County Jail or performing at presidential inaugurations, or in front of the crowned heads of Europe.

Great stuff if you want to be alone in a bar with a beer or so. Very mellon shit, but an awesome player. To bad havent seen in the spotlight lately.

If i wanted to hear the most basic use of pentatonic scales i could go and listen to the 5 year old down the road.

Great blues player, but could not play a chord to save his life. You would think after all these years he would learn some.

awesome blues guitarist,..the king of blues

Probably one of the most expressive soloists in the history of the blues but he can't play a chord. With a single note he can make Lucille cry, laugh or yell. Rhythm is the job of the rhythm section in B.B.'s band.

I think B.B. King rates this high simply because people know the name. His music easily puts one to sleep. I'll give him credit though; he does know the pentatonic blues scale.

BB King is the unquestionable Blues GOD

A guitar legend in the true sense.

Sorry - he's a legend and all; and more power to him for still getting out there and giggin'. But the greatest of all time? C'mon. He shouldn't be in the top 25.

how many of you that have said he is awful have actually seen him live or listened to a whole album? I dont say he is the greatest, that honour belongs to stevie ray in my opinion for so so many reasons. However, seeing BB live is one of the most emotional things you can do as a blues fan. His touch is unique and just absolutely soulful. so all im saying is dont say hes crap if you dont understand.

an o.k.player.but the "thrill is gone"

Oh, yes. The King of The Blues is in the top 10 for sure.

wtf jimi hendrix SUCKS!

BB is a good blues player, but ther are so many better blues players it is unreal. Guys, did you know that there are other blues players other than stevie ray vaughn and bb king? Obviously not

Black guitarist

Great but not the best

The most overrated guitarist of all time

well respected for the soul and jazz

definately a legend in his time! wonderful!

Every solo sounds the same.BB King is the most PREDICTABLE guitarist in the Blues.I'll take Muddy Waters,Lightnin' Hopkins or John Lee Hooker ANYDAY over BB.

I agree with Djahuti

greatest blues guitarest