B.B. King, Joan Baez and other great artists came to New York's Maximum Security Prison, Sing Sing, and gave one of the best shows of their lives. B.B. called it one of his greatest performances. New York's Daily News called it one of the greatest moments in live entertainment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsMobpl2Sr4 David Hoffman: 1975: BB King & The Mississippi Delta Blues. It Started Here. It's Heart Is Here. You'll see clips from many wonderful Southern Culture films in this video. The Mississippi Delta is one of those places where the Blues began. BB King said it. This is my interview with the great folklorist filmmaker William Ferris. Why do I say" great"? Because without any special training, listening to his heart, he left the farm that he came from and began to record stories from the people around him. He was mesmerized by Blues Music, Gospel Music, by the local people black and white, by the artists and the storytellers - most completely unknown. Some of those who he recorded became very famous, like BB King and Eudora Welty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVqef-kBrRM David Hoffman: BB King Sings Delta Blues in '75. Tough Times. Real Folk. Great Music. The Mississippi Delta Blues. It's the home of BB King blues. This wonderful music was born in this place and folks outside of the region begin to hear it just a few years before this Incredible documentary, done right in the heart of the Delta, was recorded. It was made by one of my favorite 16mm documentary filmmakers, William Ferris with whom I have done a documentary interview that is quite extraordinary and filled with clips from his films. Ferris took a camera and a sound rig and went to places “in his neighborhood” and most folks said yes to his recording stories and music and culture that was and is, beautiful & unique. Those of you who have seen some of my work know of my 16mm 1972 documentary recorded with BB King at Sing Sing Prison in New York State. William Ferris also recorded an incredible documentary with BB King at just about the same time.
Just yesterday had a random chat with the guy sitting on the barstool next to me about BB King. Dude was a professional musician (guitar) -probably late 50's/early 60's. Guy regaled the Throbber with tales from the road including playing BB King's place in NYC.
Something I did not know - there were actually 17 different Lucilles as BB King presented them to various people over the years (including the Pope). Apparently Lucille was named after a waitress at a place where BB was playing. A brawl broke out between two men attempting to bed Lucille and a fire ensued. King ran back inside to save his guitar. King then named his guitar after the waitress to remind himself not to get involved with drama over women or run back into burning buildings.
For those who haven't done it yet, put a trip to Beale Street on your bucket list. BB's legacy is strong.
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David Hoffman: 1975: BB King & The Mississippi Delta Blues. It Started Here. It's Heart Is Here. You'll see clips from many wonderful Southern Culture films in this video. The Mississippi Delta is one of those places where the Blues began. BB King said it. This is my interview with the great folklorist filmmaker William Ferris. Why do I say" great"? Because without any special training, listening to his heart, he left the farm that he came from and began to record stories from the people around him. He was mesmerized by Blues Music, Gospel Music, by the local people black and white, by the artists and the storytellers - most completely unknown. Some of those who he recorded became very famous, like BB King and Eudora Welty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVqef-kBrRM
David Hoffman: BB King Sings Delta Blues in '75. Tough Times. Real Folk. Great Music. The Mississippi Delta Blues. It's the home of BB King blues. This wonderful music was born in this place and folks outside of the region begin to hear it just a few years before this Incredible documentary, done right in the heart of the Delta, was recorded. It was made by one of my favorite 16mm documentary filmmakers, William Ferris with whom I have done a documentary interview that is quite extraordinary and filled with clips from his films. Ferris took a camera and a sound rig and went to places “in his neighborhood” and most folks said yes to his recording stories and music and culture that was and is, beautiful & unique. Those of you who have seen some of my work know of my 16mm 1972 documentary recorded with BB King at Sing Sing Prison in New York State. William Ferris also recorded an incredible documentary with BB King at just about the same time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBloZdTqnZo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4J4S-F4_zE
Just yesterday had a random chat with the guy sitting on the barstool next to me about BB King. Dude was a professional musician (guitar) -probably late 50's/early 60's. Guy regaled the Throbber with tales from the road including playing BB King's place in NYC.
Something I did not know - there were actually 17 different Lucilles as BB King presented them to various people over the years (including the Pope). Apparently Lucille was named after a waitress at a place where BB was playing. A brawl broke out between two men attempting to bed Lucille and a fire ensued. King ran back inside to save his guitar. King then named his guitar after the waitress to remind himself not to get involved with drama over women or run back into burning buildings.
For those who haven't done it yet, put a trip to Beale Street on your bucket list. BB's legacy is strong.