Blues legend BB King has died in Las Vegas at the age of 89, his lawyer has said.
Attorney Brent Bryson said King died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Las Vegas on May 14.
The one-time farmhand brought new fans to the blues and influenced a generation of musicians with his heartfelt vocals and soaring guitar on songs such as The Thrill Is Gone.
King sold millions of records worldwide and was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
King played a Gibson guitar that he affectionately called Lucille and was not only the undisputed king of the blues but a mentor to scores of guitarists including Eric Clapton.
He was awarded his 15th Grammy in 2009 in the traditional blues album category for One Kind Favour.
Plenty of stars were quick to pay tribute to the inspirational musician.
God bless BB King peace and love to his family Ringo and Barbarax😎✌️🌟💖
— Ringo Starr (@ringostarrmusic) May 15, 2015
B. B. King. 🙏🐾✨🌟🌸🌹 https://t.co/E1kZYYyTbM
— Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) May 15, 2015
Very sad. BB KING: Rest In Peace.. http://t.co/VHNZhg6H2l
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) May 15, 2015
Oh God. BB King. Let the sad times roll.
— Hugh Laurie (@hughlaurie) May 15, 2015
My friend and ledgend BB King passed.. I'm so so sad….he was so great to me… We've lost the King….. My love and prayers to his family.
— RICHIE SAMBORA (@TheRealSambora) May 15, 2015
Sad News, Goodbye to the great BB King https://t.co/MIDv8wEkXX
— David Morrissey (@davemorrissey64) May 15, 2015
Farewell and thank you #RIP BBKing and #Lucille Great son of Memphis and the blues pic.twitter.com/MmwDbJuDVd
— Sanjeev Bhaskar (@TVSanjeev) May 15, 2015
BB King had as much influence on modern music as the Beatles or Elvis if not more. RIP to a true guitar legend and all time great.
— Robert Kazinsky (@RobertKazinsky) May 15, 2015
RIP BB King. The thrill is gone.#legend
— David Harewood (@DavidHarewood) May 15, 2015
Rest with the angels, BB King. #RIP
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) May 15, 2015
#BB King- the most wonderful Blues singer and Guitarist I suggest everyone gets one of his records to hear true soul and spirit
— Will Young (@will_young31) May 15, 2015
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