B. B. King (September 16, 1925 – May 14, 2015) Was Born in Berclair, Mississippi, on a Plantation in the Mississippi Delta, Two-and-a-Half Hours from Memphis, Tn, and Three Hours from Little Rock, Ar. He Grew up in Poverty Working the Cotton Fields, and Knew the Violence of Racism, Having Seen the Body of a Lynched Man. the Reverend at His Church Introduced Him to the Guitar and He Began Playing Blues as a Teenager in Indianola, Where in the 1950S, One of the First Chapters of the White Supremacist Citizens’ Council Started. While Touring in the 1960S and 70S King Avoided Indianola Due to Its Segregated Eateries and Hotels. in 2005, the Mississippi Senate and House of Representatives Honored B. B. King with a Joint Resolution Saluting Him as a Favorite Son and February 15 Is Declared B. B. King Day. in 2008 Indianola Opened the B. B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center and the Town Is King’s Final Resting Place. Learn More About B. B. King’s Life Timeline.

Between 1948 and 1953, King’s Gigs and Work as a Dj at Black-Operated Radio Station Wdia in Memphis, Tn, Establish His Reputation Locally. in 1956 the Blues Musician Spent 340 Nights on the Road Touring. His Album Live at the Regal (1964) Recorded in Chicago Seals His Reputation as King of the Blues. in 1968, King Had Solidly Crossed over to Mainstream Pop Culture with His Appearances at the Filmore in San Francisco and Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island. in 1971 He Wins His First Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance with “The Thrill Is Gone, ” Which Reached #3 on the R&B Charts and #15 on the Pop Charts. King Holds More Grammy Awards in the Blues Genre (15) Than Any Other Artist and His Distinctive Vibrato Can Be Recognized in Just One Note.

Black History Month: Fats Domino and B. B. King | Blog | American Masters

By Marcus Vance

• Oct 8, 2026 • 5 min read

Black History Month: Fats Domino and B. B. King | Blog | American Masters

Direct Answer • Key Takeaway

American Masters Is Proud to Present the Broadcast Premieres of B. B. King: the Life of Riley and Fats Domino and the Birth of Rock N’ Roll During Black History Month This February. the Iconic Musicians B. B. King and Fats Domino Define the Very Genres of Music Invented in America — the Blues and Rock N’ Roll, Respectively. Both Men Introduced the Music of Their Birthplaces to Increasingly Wider Circles, Record by Record, Through Grueling Tour Schedules Across the Country, and by Uniting Black and White Fans During Troubling Times of Segregation and Violence. with Their Inimitable Voices and Virtuosic Instrument Playing — King on His Guitar “Lucille” and Domino on His Piano — Their Music Continues to Inspire and Influence Musicians to This Day.

Marcus Vance

Cybersecurity & Digital Privacy Researcher

Marcus Vance is a cybersecurity auditor and technology writer dedicated to educating the public about online safety, data privacy regulations, enterprise security, and emerging cyber threats.

Tags: black history month fats domino and b b king