When we think of musical legends, a few names come to mind instantly: B.B. King, the King of Blues, and Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Their legacies are cemented in the annals of music history, but perhaps lesser known is the genuine bond these two giants shared, a bond that crossed racial and musical boundaries. B.B. King, always humble, had a remarkable story to tell about Elvis—a story that set the record straight about the man he knew behind the icon.
“When Elvis appeared he was already a big, big star. Remember this was the fifties, so for a young white boy to show up in an all-black function took guts,” King once recalled. This candid statement highlights a pivotal moment in both their careers and the cultural environment of the time. Elvis’s decision to attend and perform at predominantly African-American events wasn’t just about music; it was about paying respect to the roots from which he drew inspiration.
“I believe he was showing his roots and he seemed proud of those roots,” King continued. “After the show, he made a point of posing for pictures with me, treating me like royalty.” Elvis’s gesture was more than just a photo op; it was a public acknowledgment of the deep influence of blues and rhythm and blues artists like B.B. King on his own musical style. “He’d tell people I was one of his influences. I doubt whether that’s true, but I like hearing Elvis give Memphis credit for his musical upbringing,” King mused.
Their friendship didn’t end there. Fast forward to 1972, when B.B. King found himself in need of a career boost. Elvis, then a major draw at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas, stepped in to help his friend. “Elvis helped me get a good gig at the Hilton Hotel while he was playing in the big theater. He put in a call for me and I worked in the lounge to a standing room only crowd,” King remembered fondly. This favor spoke volumes about Elvis’s character. While his fame could have made him insular, he chose instead to lift others, especially those he admired.
“Elvis fans came in different colors, but their love for good music was all the same,” King reflected. This sense of unity through music was something Elvis cherished and it made the lounge, where King played, a gathering place for true music lovers. “They were always a good audience,” King added, highlighting the impact of Elvis’s support on his performances.
After the lights dimmed and the audience left, King and Presley would often find themselves together in Elvis’s suite. “Many nights I’d go upstairs after we finished our sets and go up to his suite. I’d play Lucille [King’s guitar] and sing with Elvis, or we’d take turns. It was his way of relaxing.” These images of two musical icons, stripped of the glitz and glamour, simply enjoying each other’s company and sharing the music they loved, is both poignant and powerful.
“I’ll tell you a secret. We were the original Blues Brothers because that man knew more blues songs than most in the business—and after some nights it felt like we sang every one of them,” King joked. His humor, however, underscores a truth about Elvis’s devotion to the blues. He wasn’t just a performer who dabbled in different genres; he was a student of music who respected its roots and its masters.
But what King valued most in Elvis was his unwavering respect. “When we were hanging out in the Hilton in the 70s, Elvis had not lost his respect, his ‘yes sir,’ his love for all fields of music. And I liked that.” King’s words are a testament to a side of Elvis that often gets overlooked—a side that admired and acknowledged the contributions of African-American artists to the fabric of American music.
The friendship between B.B. King and Elvis Presley serves as a reminder that music transcends boundaries. It brings people together, irrespective of race or genre, and has the power to forge bonds that last a lifetime. While B.B. King may have doubted his influence on Elvis, the respect and admiration the two shared was mutual, sincere, and deeply rooted in their shared love for the blues.
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