Through the years, there have been many Lucilles. Today, Lucille is widely recognized as a black-with-gold-hardware Gibson ES-355–style guitar. But she came into being as a much different instrument, one born — in a origin story befitting a blues icon — in a burst of fighting and fire.
What is Lucille guitar worth?
One of BB King’s most beloved guitars has sold at a US auction for $280,000 (£225,000). The black Gibson ES-345 prototype was presented to King in 2005 by manufacturers Gibson on his 80th birthday, and was the first in a limited edition of 80.
Why did BB King call his guitar Lucille?
The dance hall was evacuated and just before B.B. King was about to leave, he realized that he had left his guitar inside. … Upon learning that, B.B. King decided to name his guitar Lucille to serve as a reminder to never to run back into a burning building or get into a fight over a woman again.
Who played Lucille the guitar?
B.B. King Named His Beloved Guitar ‘Lucille’ After a Near-Death Experience. The King of Blues was known for his distinct soloing style — but his musical act was actually a duo with his instrument that he named after a woman he never met.
Where is Lucille guitar now?
He is buried next to the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in the small town of Indianola, Mississippi, near the community where he grew up picking cotton in the Delta flatlands.
Who is BB King’s wife?
King was married twice, to Martha Lee Denton, November 1946 to 1952, and to Sue Carol Hall, 1958 to 1966. The failure of both marriages has been attributed to the heavy demands made by King’s 250 performances a year. It is reported that he fathered 15 children with several different women.
How many Lucille guitars did BB King have?
In 2005, for B.B. King’s 80th birthday, Gibson made a special run of 80 Gibson Lucilles, referred to as the 80th Birthday Lucille.
What guitar did BB King play?
B.B. King played primarily on a Gibson semi-hollow body ES-355, and he had a lot of them over the years, and every guitar was known as Lucille. B.B. KING: The sound that you’re listening to is from my guitar that’s named Lucille.
What is the most expensive guitar?
The title of the most expensive guitar in the world goes to the “Reach Out To Asia” Fender Stratocaster, which sold for $2.7 million in 2015. This guitar was the result of Bryan Adams “Reach Out To Asia” project; which was set up to help the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
What is the most famous guitar?
- Kurt Cobain’s Fender Jag-Stang. …
- James Hetfield’s “EET FUK” ESP Explorer. …
- Tom Morello’s “Arm The Homeless” Custom. …
- Zakk Wylde’s “Bullseye” Gibson Les Paul. …
- Prince’s “Cloud” …
- Eddie Van Halen’s “Frankenstrat” …
- Angus Young’s Jaydee SG. …
- Jimmy Page’s Gibson Les Paul Standard.
Who played with BB King?
Over his career, he played with country pickers from Willie Nelson to Marty Stuart, and sang with the likes of George Jones and Sheryl Crow — always with dazzling results. Here, we look at the seven greatest country moments from the bluesman’s wildly influential career.
Did BB King name his guitar Elizabeth?
When King learned the woman’s name was Lucille, he named his guitar after her “to remind himself to never fight over a woman or run into a burning building,” the auction house said.
What does BB stand for in BB King?
He worked for a time as a disc jockey in Memphis, Tennessee (notably at station WDIA), where he acquired the name “B.B.” (for “Blues Boy”) King.
What pick did BB King use?
Lucille was fitted with vintage humbucking pickups. Specifically, King’s ES-355 had a 490R Alnico humbucker pickup in the neck and a 490T Alnico humbucker pickup in the bridge. So if you have an ES style guitar with modern pickups, and are really after authenticity, it is worth looking at vintage style pickups.
Does fender own Gretsch?
In late 2002, Gretsch and the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation reached an agreement giving Fender control over marketing, production, and distribution of guitars, with the Gretsch family retaining ownership of the company.
What guitar did Eric Clapton play?
Today, Eric Clapton is best associated with the Fender Stratocaster electric guitar (he endorses a signature model) and Martin Acoustic Guitars (five models have been issued over the years). In concert, he primarily plays his signature model Fender Stratocaster.
What guitar did Stevie Ray Vaughan play?
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Fender Stratocaster
The late guitar great called his favorite instrument Number One. Also known as Vaughan’s “First Wife,” the guitar – a 1963 Fender Strat fitted with a 1962 neck – was famously battered from years of onstage abuse.
Who taught BB King on guitar?
His first mentor on the guitar was the Reverend Archie Fair, who played while preaching at a local church. King credited his teacher at the one-room Elkhorn School, Luther Henson, with instilling in him dignity, independence and hope, qualities that served King well during his long career.
Who did BB King leave his money to?
Allegations motivated by money
King had set up a Trust for his descendants, but reportedly left sums of only $3,000–5,000/each to his 15 children; he left the remainder of his estate for their education.
What is BB King’s net worth?
According to analysis conducted for this story by Billboard, King’s publishing and recording assets — including his catalog — are valued at roughly $7 million to $8 million, based on Nielsen Music data and consultation with a financial executive who buys publishing and master recording catalogs.
What kind of guitar does Chuck Berry play?
The most iconic guitar that Berry played was his cherry red Gibson ES-355. Despite playing numerous versions of the instrument, some with Maestro vibratos, some with Bigsbys and some with no vibrato at all, the guitar can be told apart thanks to the split diamond inlay on the headstock.
What does Es stand for Gibson?
The Gibson ES-335 (ES stands for Electric Spanish) was introduced in 1958. It was designed in order to bridge to divide between Gibson’s beautifully traditional hollow body archtops and their harder sounding, feedback-free Les Paul model.
Did B.B. King play acoustic guitar?
Gibson L-30
This was the first guitar that BB King played in his music career. This guitar was referred to as the original Lucille. It was produced between 1935 and 1943. It was an acoustic guitar.
Did B.B. King play chords?
B.B. King didn’t play chords. Like, ever. His style was very call and response, with his voice and his guitar alternating, instead of harmonizing and sharing time.
Who is the best guitarist of all time?
- Jimi Hendrix. Jimmy Hendrix is the best guitarist in history. …
- Eric Clapton. Nicknamed in all humility “God” by his fans, Eric Clapton is now the most famous rock and blues guitarist still active after nearly 50 years. …
- Jimmy Page. …
- Robert Johnson. …
- Chuck Berry. …
- Muddy Waters. …
- BB King. …
- Keith Richards.
Who is best guitarist in the world?
- Brian May. Topping our classic rock poll and receiving more votes than any polled player, Brian’s a true pioneer of tone and one of those rare guitarists who’s instantly recognisable from a single note. …
- Jimi Hendrix. …
- Jimmy Page.
- Eddie Van Halen. …
- Eric Clapton. …
- David Gilmour. …
- Ritchie Blackmore. …
- Alex Lifeson.
What is the rarest guitar in the world?
- 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard (Original Series) …
- 1951 Les Paul Fender “NoCaster” …
- 1959 Gibson Flying V. …
- 1949 Bigsby Birdseye Maple Solid Body. …
- 1958 Gibson Explorer. …
- 1959 Left-handed Gibson Les Paul Standard Sunburst. …
- 1964 Vox V251 Guitar Organ Prototype.
What brand is Willie Nelson’s guitar?
Trigger is the Martin N-20 nylon-string classical acoustic guitar used by country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson.
Who did Prince say was the best guitarist?
On the day Prince died, a tweet with a quote of praise from Eric Clapton went viral. But although Clapton was a Prince fan, he never made the statement attributed to him. On April 21, 2016, British radio host Stig Abell tweeted, “Eric Clapton was asked about how it felt to be the world’s best guitarist.
How much is Eddie Van Halen’s Frankenstein guitar worth?
In December 2020, just two months after Eddie Van Halen’s death, three of the guitarist’s Frankenstrats sold at auction for $422,000 combined.
Did BB King write his songs?
Title | Written by | Originally by |
---|---|---|
I Wonder Why | B.B. King, Joe Josea | B.B. King |
Jump with You Baby | B.B. King, Jules Taub | B. B. “Blues Boy” King and His Orchestra |
Let Me Love You | B.B. King, Sam Ling | B.B. King |
Mashed Potato Twist | B.B. King, Joe Josea, Maxwell Davis | B.B. King |
What is BB King’s most famous song?
- “Three O’Clock Blues” (1951) Photo : Walter Iooss Jr. …
- “You Upset Me Baby” (1954) Photo : Walter Iooss Jr/Getty. …
- “Every Day I Have the Blues” (1955) …
- “Sweet Sixteen” (1960) …
- “Don’t Answer the Door” (1966) …
- “Why I Sing the Blues” (1969) …
- “The Thrill Is Gone” (1970) …
- “Chains and Things” (1970)
How did BB King learn to play the guitar?
He found inspiration in the music of the African American church. He dreamed of becoming a gospel singer and learned the rudiments of guitar from his preacher. He arranged with his employer to acquire his first guitar and taught himself further with mail-order instruction books.
Who is known as the father of the blues?
Born in Florence, Alabama on November 16, 1873, William Christopher Handy became interested in music at an early age.
What is the biggest number of shows BB did in one year?
King, better known as B.B. King, became a disc jockey in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was dubbed “the Beale Street Blues Boy.” That nickname was shortened to “B.B.” and the guitarist cut his first record in 1949. He spent the next several decades recording and touring, playing more than 300 shows a year.