“Very few people in music define the genre in which they flourish, and B.B. King is one of them,” says JOE BONAMASSA.
“When B.B. was alive and active, he was the blues—he was the sun which all planets rotated around. Only a few artists are the true north guiding the genre in which they participated, but he was that shining star.”
Joe Bonamassa will release his commemorative homage to “The King of the Blues” (the album was announced on September 16th 2025 which would have been King’s 100th birthday) titled “B.B. King Blues Summit 100”, to be released via KTBA Records on Friday February 6th 2025. The recording can be pre-ordered here: https://shop.jbonamassa.com/collections/b-b-kings-blues-summit-100
The complete digital album features 32 songs and will also be available as a Double CD and Triple LP Vinyl on February 6th.
Riley B. King was born a sharecropper’s son on a cotton plantation in Mississippi and he sang in the gospel choir. The local minister taught King his first guitar chords. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and, after the war, he performed on Sonny Boy Williamson’s radio program in West Memphis. He worked at WDIA as a singer and disc jockey where he was given the nickname “Beale Street Blues Boy”, later shortened to “Blues Boy” and finally to “B. B.” In the late 1940s – early 1950s, King was a part of the impactive blues scene on Beale Street, regularly preforming with Bobby Bland, Johnny Ace and Earl Forest. Bonamassa opened for B.B. King at approximately twenty shows, in 1989.
A wonder-striking reinterpretation of King’s most iconic songs, conveyed by a remarkable collection of blues legends, rock icons, soul juggernauts, and rising stars in rock & blues…
The celebratory project “B.B. King Blues Summit 100” (it took nine months to put together), includes several wonder-striking reinterpretations of King’s most iconic songs, conveyed by a remarkable collection of blues legends, rock icons, soul juggernauts, and rising stars in rock & blues. Collaborations include those with Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks, Bobby Rush, George Benson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Clapton, Larkin Poe, Buddy Guy, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Eric Gales, Gary Clark Jr, Jimmie Vaughan, Kirk Fletcher, Warren Haynes, Dion, Slash, and more.
The project offered participating artists an opportunity to contemplate King’s cultural and personal importance, extending beyond musical pursuits. Bobby Rush, who met King in 1948, called him “the man I looked up to all my life” and he recalled leading the hearse at King’s funeral. Kenny Wayne Shepherd shared a story about receiving life advice from King on his 16th birthday. Marcus King remembered leaning against the back wall at a B.B. King show as a child, a moment that stayed with him forever.
This release via Bonamassa’s KTBA Records is a component of Joe’s sustained mission to safeguard the blues’ deep-rooted culture and its history as a legitimate American art form.
The album features songs like “Sweet Little Angel” performed by Joe Bonamassa and Buddy Guy. The carbolic compassion of Guy’s tightly held guitar notes on this piece are simultaneously apprehensive and lemony. The arrangement’s benevolent swing is a blend of thankfulness and giving. And while the vocal expresses gratitude in a mellow, almost melancholic way, it avoids any sentimentality. Joe and Buddy hymning this blues standard is the first-class epitome of blues music; a fitting tribute to the King of Blues. Impeccable!
Bonamassa collaborated on “Chains and Things” with Gary Clark Jr., where keyboards smoothly embellish the musical backdrop, and a guitar meows as the musicians pays tribute to King’s 1970 song (written by King and Dave Clark; interesting fact: Carole King played electric piano on the original recording). Stripped of all pretension, this is the smoothest blues you’ll hear all day, and enchants the very air around it.
The U2 number “When Love Comes To Town” with Joe Bonamassa, featuring Slash, Shemekia Copeland, and Myles Kennedy is, of course, a wild dune-buggy bounce of pleading vocal half-mournings and freshly meshed totemic drumming that all comes packed in an electrifying structure. The vocal interplay conveys a sense of playful energy, and the guitar-work is nimble and malleable. Spellbinding!
Jimmy Johnson’s 1964 “Don’t Answer The Door” with Marcus King is leisurely, and has an easy-going pace and demeanor. The piece features incredibly passionate vocals that are stretched taut across fiery guitar. This song emanates heat like a tinderbox of passion.
We particularly enjoyed the cantering run-around of “Don’t You Want A Man Like Me” featuring Larkin Poe. This track features precise guitar work and engaging rhythms, complete with jam-band-style horns and a heart-warming quality that’s reminiscent of waking up to new love. With textured, mineral vocals, the atmosphere on this track feels detailed and warm.
a remarkable project, a perfect tribute, and this truly represents
RAW RAMP
B.B. King at his best…
Most fans will seek out “The Thrill Is Gone” featuring Chaka Khan and Eric Clapton. They won’t be disappointed! This song retains the mood, the quality, and the agitated — almost frenzied — disposition of the original number. And the guitar is, of course, transcendental.
Another fan favourite will be “Night Life” with Paul Rodgers, that comes packed with teardrops of piercing guitar. The vocals and sultry horn intertwine, resembling grateful ivy weaving around silky mulberry. It’s a passionate statement, delivered with clarity.
This is a remarkable project of celebration, a perfect tribute, and truly represents B.B. King at his best. It’s the ultimate celebration of the King’s artistic endowment. Every song is a masterpiece of brilliance, skill, and energy; furthermore, each track immortalizes not only the legendary musician but also the entire history of the blues. You won’t believe this collection; it’s truly one of a kind!
“B.B. King Blues Summit 100” is released via KTBA Records on Friday February 6th 2025 can be pre-ordered at: https://shop.jbonamassa.com/collections/b-b-kings-blues-summit-100
Words: © Neil Mach January 2026
B.B. King main photo: Pictorial Press Ltd-Alamy
[Main photo taken circa 1950 when B.B. King had a regular spot on the Memphis radio station WDIA. King credited this radio station with launching his career.]
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