Just saw BB King last night (At Green Valley Ranch in Henderson). Before now, I had not known he'd been living here in Las Vegas for the past 10 years. Anyway, his band is top notch, total music lovers. Our city welcomed him back with open arms, and his genuine smile appreciated it.
BB is turning 86 soon, so as one can imagine he's not so frisky anymore, though he would hold onto Lucille and dance around in his chair the best he could with the heartiest of grins. His back-up guitarist played most of the songs for him, but he played 2 songs their entirety: The Thrill is Gone and Key to the Highway. He shredded both like time never touched him with age. But no matter how tired his fingers may be, his voice is still striking and thunderous from a stage. He's still got it after all these years.
He pretty much cracked jokes and told stories most of the time but it was a real treat to see. At one point he even threatened his drummer, saying, "I'm from Mississippi, I'll cut you." You could tell he still sincerely enjoys what he does, lives for it, even. He even joked about how he woke in bed to see a news report of his death and he called his assistant saying, "did you know I was dead?" Seeing him really hits you, and I even felt tears swelling at one moment. He's a living legend we'll only get to treasure and see for, I fear, not much longer. He's the real deal; a Southern boy who's seen cotton fields and his mother's stink-eye at Sunday church when he misbehaved.
There was one odd moment of the show that really lasted about twenty, in which he started playing "You are my Sunshine" and the audience was singing along. Some cranky-voiced woman in the front was screeching so loud that his mic caught every word. I felt as if I was in the middle of "O Brother Where Art Thou?" or something.
At the end, he left with his overcoat placed upon his shoulders and a proper pimp hat, and I left feeling somehow blessed. I hope the old bugger lives another 20 years.
