To people the world over, B. B. King is the literal personification of blues. No blues or rock 'n' roll musician in the postwar era in America could escape his influence, either directly or indirectly. His fusion of acoustic country blues with jazz set the stage for a half century of development in African American music. Although he never attained the widespread commercial success enjoyed by others, King rose to his billing "King of the Blues" without compromising his style or musicianship.

King is credited with bringing vibrato to the electric guitar, and the stinging, fluttering sound of his guitar, named Lucille, was totally unique and instantly recognizable. His story is one of the most amazing in American music. His rise from picking cotton in Mississippi to touring the world has become part of the mythology of the American Dream.

Riley B...