The Blues- Bessie Smith and B.B. King

This week I picked 2 blues artists to write about. I chose Bessie Smith one of the most famous blues singer and sometimes called The Empress of Blues and B.B. King who is a famous blues guitarist.

Bessie Smith was born in 1894 into poverty. She was one of 7 children. Her father died soon after Bessie’s birth and her mom and two brother died before she was 8. After her mother’s death a maiden aunt raised Bessie and her remaining siblings. At a young age Bessie realized her unique voice and sung on street corners for money while her brother played guitar. At the age of 18 she was working in a minstrel show that was not the best environment and led to her future alcoholism. In 1923 Bessie was discovered by a record company and over the course of 8 years recorded at least 160 titles. Her popularity grew fast and she sang with some of the best in the jazz world. Then the Great Depression hit and jazz and blues waned in popularity. It wasn’t until 1937 when America went crazy for swing music that Bessie regained her popularity. She was a very adaptable singer and quickly adapted to singing swing music to support herself. She did marry during her years of fame, but it ended in a bitter divorce in 1929 as she struggled with her addiction to alcohol. Bessie Smith lost her life at the age of 43 when she was in a car accident and died. Over 10 thousand fans attended her funeral. She had become the best selling recording artist of her time. She was referred to as “The Empress of the Blues” because of her phenomenal voice and success singing. She influenced the next generation of jazz singers, most notably Billie Holiday.

B.B. King, born Riley B. King, was born in 1925 in Mississippi. His parents separated when he was little. He lived with his mother until she died. It wasn’t until a few years later that his father found him. King worked on a cotton plantation making $22.50 a week as a child. It was while working on the plantation that his love of blues was created and nurtured. King was quoted later that as he listened to his music then in 1988 that he could hear sounds of his childhood echoing back at him. He sang gospel in the church choir. Even though at the time blues was considered the devil’s music King still listened to recording of early blues musicians. His farm boss loaned him enough money to buy a guitar and take lessons. From there he grew into the famous blues guitarist he is today. He was soon making more money playing on the street corner on Saturday then he made all week at the plantation. He then decided to move to Memphis for the musical environment he dreamed of being a part of in 1948. King served a brief time in the army and afterward moved in with his cousin who was also a blues guitarist. While trying to copy his cousin’s style his own developed. King impressed a local blues musician and was given his own radio show and gigs at a local music establishment. His trio became very famous. They were the known as “the “Beale Street Blues Boy,” which was shortened to “Bee-Bee” and then to his famous initials.” After his growing popularity King decided he wanted to record his music. He recorded a lot of music over his lifetime. In the mid-1950’s he was performing over 300 times a year. He won many awards for his music and played with many other musicians. He played in prisons a lot and he won a Grammy for his recording of a concert at San Quentin. Over his lifetime he was married and divorced twice and had 15 children. He still performs many times a year and his music will live on forever.

I listened to some of B.B. King’s music. His guitar playing is phenomenal. As I watched the youtube videos I could see the joy spread across his face as he played. It was obvious to me how much he loves playing the blues. His music is nice to listen to. It sounds sad and bluesy just by the notes he uses and the rhythms. It is amazing to me how much emotion you can get from the different notes you play and how the rhythm and notes together can paint a picture. B.B. King truly is amazing in my mind and his music is good to listen to when you get in a mood for something sadder.

I also listened to Bessie Smith singing. Her voice is just perfect for the blues. It has a gravelly quality that is nice to listen to. Her voice like B.B. King’s playing expresses so much emotion and feeling. She was a great singer and will influence many young singers over the years. Again, she is good to listen to if you are in the mood for something sadder to listen to.



For more information:

http://www.notablebiographies.com/Sc-St/Smith-Bessie.html

http://www.notablebiographies.com/Jo-Ki/King-B-B.html

Pictures from:

http://www.freewebs.com/birmingham-schools-kick-racism-out/Site%20Pictures/bessie-smith.jpg

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