King of the Blues: US blues legend B.B. King with his guitar "Lucille" at a music festival at La Villette park in northeastern Paris, France on July 6, 1998. Known for his soaring guitar licks and serving as an inspiration for generations of musicians over a decades-long career, King has died at the age of 89. Photo: AFP/Bertrand Guay
Blues legend B.B. King, who took his music from rural juke joints to the mainstream and inspired a generation of guitarists from Eric Clapton to Stevie Ray Vaughan, has died in Las Vegas. He was 89.
News of King's death, confirmed late May 14 on a Facebook page linked to the website of his daughter Claudette, triggered shockwaves across social media, with blues, rock and country music stars lining up to pay tribute.
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