B.B. King: From Indianola to Icon

A comprehensive exploration of B.B. King's journey from sharecropper to musical icon



This book documents a great American story, that of B.B. King, the “King of the Blues,” and one of America’s most important popular musicians. With fascinating images and history—most published for the first time—it traces his migration from the Chitlin’ Circuit (the national network of Black theaters and roadhouses), to Club Ebony in his hometown of Indianola, Mississippi, and eventually to Carnegie Hall. What was it about Riley B. King that enabled him to become the “King of the Blues”?



B.B. King brought the music of America—the blues—to the world. He gave an estimated 18,000 concerts in 90 countries, including a legendary performance in Zaire in 1974, prior to the Muhammed Ali–George Foreman heavyweight title bout. With never-before-seen images of King on stage, on his tour bus, with his fans, and at home, this is the ultimate book for blues fans..