I attended a BB King Concert at the Doral Hotel in Miami Beach sometime in the 80's, and got the nerve to try and visit him backstage after the show. There were no groupies, security, or handlers. I simply knocked on his dressing room door and he invited me in. He was unbelievably humble and kind and we spoke for about 20 minutes on music and of course, stereo. I asked him what he played at home and it ranged from Robert Johnson to the Stones. As to what he played it on, he had no idea as "some friend set the damn thing up". I left on cloud nine as if I had been ordained by the man himself. Wonderful man.
Nothing can diminish his legacy so I will take this opportunity to encourage readers to hear one of the two greatest living blues guitarists on the planet. The first is Buddy Whittington, who held the esteemed guitar chair in the John Mayall Band for 10 years (2003-2013) and who has recently gone out on his own. He doesn't tour much, but if you can, don't miss him. He is from Ft. Worth so most commonly can be seen playing somewhere in Texas. If you're talking Texas style Blues guitar, nobody can touch him, at least not since the death of SRV. The other unbelievable guitarist to check out is Melvin Taylor, who is the epitome of the Chicago Blues style of playing. Melvin tours somewhat (I saw him in Telluride 2 years ago), but his home base is the humble Rosa's Lounge in Chicago, where he plays with some regularity (next is June 19/20). When he does play, all the great blues cognescenti and players of Chicago all come out of the woodworks to listen and sometimes join him on stage spontaneously (most notably Sugar Blue- harmonica player of legend). What is suprising to me, is that his guitar doesn't spontaneously self-combust and burn Rosa's to the ground every time he plays. Yes, I exaggerate a little, but believe me, his playing does not.
Both of these guys will never be as well known as BB King, but they currently define the pinnacle of blues guitar playing and are highly worth seeing in person.
