Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Last night, I attended a concert by Buddy Guy and B.B. King at Bethel Woods in Bethel, NY. I was there to review the show for a newspaper, so I had a backstage pass that allowed me full access anywhere I wanted to go. Buddy played a great set, and I interviewed him today over the phone for a feature story in Premier Guitar coming up in the November issue.

I was shocked to see B.B. in a wheelchair right before he was scheduled to go on. His valets helped him up and he strode onstage with a little difficulty. For the next 90 minutes, B.B. did his gig, but one thing was obvious; he spent more time talking to the crowd while his band vamped quietly in the background than he did playing guitar or singing. For someone who first saw B.B. in 1970 when he was in his prime (and many times since), I couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness watching him. At nearly 84, there's no question he has slowed down, as we all will. It's part of life. All in all however, B.B. sounded just fine, both instrumentally and vocally.

At the conclusion of B.B.'s set, his valets helped him on with his coat and hat, got him back into the wheelchair and off the stage. I stood right next to B.B., whom I had met on several occasions over the years, bent down, hugged and told him I loved him. B.B. smiled and thanked me. He's an extremely humble and gracious man, even to this day, after all the fame, wealth and accolades. I followed his valets and road manager, as they wheeled the King of the Blues into the backstage area and out to the bus. There was no meet & greet. I was sorry to see him go.

In no way is this meant as a criticism of B.B. King. Indeed, I am happy he is still with us and hope he continues to tour for as long as he is able.

I can't believe that nobody commented on this thread Bob. Thanks for posting it.

Unfortunately it is a fact of life that we all will get old one day and our skills will diminish. Mr. King is a first class bluesman and one day I am sure that like many of his contemporaries, he too will be taken from us. Until that day I will accept anything musical he has to offer for our consumption and also completely on his terms. Like you quite obviously, that's how much respect I also have for the man.

Brian...In all honesty, I couldn't believe nobody commented either. I'm not fishing for compliments by any means-don't misunderstand-but if nobody is interested in reading my stories or doesn't care, I won't bother writing them anymore.

I'm privileged to be in a position to be able to meet many famous guitarists, and I thought people might be interested as well.

Keep these stories coming Bob. I believe that eventually people will get around to reading the great material that you post.

I read it and commented to Shari about the wheelchair. Amazing that B.B. still wants to keep the show on the road.