I Saw B.B. King Last Night...

Psycho Circus · June 26, 2011, 09:25:04 AM

...And I'm sad to report that it was one of the worst gigs I've ever been to.

Now, the man is 85 years of age, so the fact that he is still able to take to the stage let alone tour year round is nothing short of a miracle. He is a legend, a blues icon, a guitar god. But he should probably call it quits, because I have to be honest, from what I saw and heard he is tarnishing his reputation as a performer. As I told posters on facebook who slated me for my "opinion", I'm being honest from my perspective and I'm not blinded by any form of idol worship.

I paid £114 ($182) for two tickets, one for me and one for my dad (father's day gift) and basically that got us just under 90mins of talking, an embarrassingly out of tune backing band, no encore and the handing out of gold chains!?? B.B. must've actually played his guitar about 5 times in total for no more than 2-3 mins at a time, hitting a lot of bum notes, although his voice was in fine form. "Everyday I Have The Blues" and "Thrill Is Gone" were the stand-outs, but "You Are My Sunshine" was a total joke, to the point where people in the crowd were shouting "play some blues". My dad and I were sat there cringing, but again, the man's a legend and he's old, so you can't expect too much.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgvpHI0QJTk

Allhallowsday · June 26, 2011, 08:02:01 PM

Sorry to hear that.

I have never had the, uh, "privilege," but have long wanted to see B.B. KING.

zombie no.one · June 26, 2011, 08:03:56 PM

they showed a bit of his set from glastonbury on tv yesterday and yeah he must've only played his guitar once in 20 minutes of stage time!

Criswell · June 26, 2011, 11:13:51 PM

Sorry to hear of your bad experience. Its a risk most of the time to see older artist perform. Its kinda a ripoff that he hardely played his guitar, since you know... that's what he's famous for.

WilliamWeird1313 · June 27, 2011, 10:29:00 AM

Bummer. I kinda feel bad for the guy. Ya gotta figure, if his performance was that lacking, he's gotta be feeling his age.

It's always sad to see legendary performers on the other side of their prime.

AndyC · June 27, 2011, 01:49:07 PM

How I choose to remember B.B. King.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WettthmBOZM
"Won't you gentlemen have a Pepsi."

Hammock Rider · June 28, 2011, 10:18:42 AM

Wow that's too bad Circus, sorry to hear it. I'm a fan too.

AndyC, let's don't forget this outstanding performance either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZgsIiSL8zk

Psycho Circus · June 28, 2011, 10:24:18 AM

It's basically what I imagine seeing Elvis was like, before he died. You know, the whole Vegas routine and it feeling like a tribute show rather than a solid meaningful performance. What made it worse was some guy kept strolling on to the stage and asking for the audience to applause with "Give it up for the undisputed king of the blues". Hell if B.B's still regarded as the king of the blues, then I'm the damn god of blues...

Watching the footage of him trying to play again, reminds me of the Texas Chainsaw Masscare when they try to get grandpa to hit that chick with the hammer.

Allhallowsday · June 28, 2011, 08:32:43 PM

Quote from: Circus Circus on June 28, 2011, 10:24:18 AM
It's basically what I imagine seeing Elvis was like, before he died. You know, the whole Vegas routine and it feeling like a tribute show rather than a solid meaningful performance. What made it worse was some guy kept strolling on to the stage and asking for the audience to applause with "Give it up for the undisputed king of the blues". Hell if B.B's still regarded as the king of the blues, then I'm the damn god of blues...
Watching the footage of him trying to play again, reminds me of the Texas Chainsaw Masscare when they try to get grandpa to hit that chick with the hammer.

Aw. I laughed out loud.

That's still funny. And sad.