Next on American Masters: B.B. King – The Life of Riley

Share This:

BB King at London’s Royal Albert Hall via PBS; Photo: Kevin Nixon

A celebrated blues musician is the next cultural icon to be featured on PBS series American Masters. B.B. King: The Life of Riley premieres nationwide during Black History Month on Friday, February 12th at 9 pm EST, showcasing candid interviews with the “King of the Blues” himself, his family, longtime friends and classic rock contemporaries like Bono, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Ringo Starr, Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Winter, John Mayer, George Benson and more.

Narrated by Morgan Freeman (perfect choice!), B.B. King: The Life of Riley chronicles the musician’s rise to stardom in the face of rampant racism and segregation – from his roots as a sharecropper’s son working in the cotton fields of Mississippi, to the disc jockey stint where he first met T-Bone Walker and his subsequent recording contracts. Interspersed with interviews is plenty of rare archival footage, including King’s 1968 performance at Bill Graham’s Fillmore West, which helped introduce him to young white audiences. Also included is footage of King’s collaborations with Clapton and Bono. The legend, born Riley B. King, passed away last May at the age of 89; read Best Classic Bands’ obituary here.

It’s been three decades now since the multiple Emmy-winning series American Masters first started producing biographies of artists, actors and writers who have profoundly impacted American popular culture. As part of its 30th anniversary season, the series will also feature new documentaries about Carole King (February 19th), Fats Domino (February 26th), Loretta Lynn (March 4th), Janis Joplin (May 3rd) and The Highwaymen (May 27th). For more information about American Masters as well as streaming video of select films, outtakes and interviews, check out the show’s official website.

<br />