Did You Know...

Memphis was a place that supported a competitive music community, especially for blacks. When King arrived in Memphis he stayed with his cousin, Bukka White, who was a renowned rural blues performer. King began learning from White as soon as possible and honed his blues guitar skills. A year after he arrived in Memphis, King performed on Sonny Boy Williamson's radio program. The performance led to steady jobs throughout the next year at places like the Sixteenth Avenue Grill.

He also landed a regular spot on the WDIA radio station. The show was called 'King's Spot' and drew quite a crowd. As the show's popularity continued to grow, so did its length. 'King's Spot' was renamed the 'Sepia Swing Club' and given a longer running time. King decided he needed a radio name, so he started calling himself Beale Street Blues Boy which became Blues Boy King, and finally B.B. King.

King composed new songs throughout his radio career and he had soon produced a number one hit, 'Three O'clock Blues', in 1951. By 1952 another R&B single hit number one on the charts. 'You Don't Know Me' was followed by hits like 'Please Love Me' and 'You Upset Me Baby' which both found their way to number two on the R&B charts. He began touring nationally, performing about 275 concerts a year. King found his passion on the stage.