Epiphone

When B.B. King made his first recordings for Sam Phillips’ Memphis Recording Services, King was initially known as a talented vocalist and in fact didn’t always play lead guitar on his early records. But that would all change by the mid ‘50s as King and his guitar, nicknamed Lucille, became the voice of the blues. With hits like “Rock Me Baby,” “Sweet Little Angel,” “Sweet Sixteen,” and “The Thrill Is Gone,” King put the blues on the Top 40 charts, made himself and Lucille household names, became the first blues artist signed to a major label, and with his singular vocal and guitar style, was an inspiration to a mighty generation of blues and rock artists including Otis Rush, Albert King, Buddy Guy, Michael Bloomfield, Duane Allman, and Magic Sam.