Blues legend BB King celebrated his 81st birthday Saturday in Paris. Photo, the Academy of Achievement,Washington, D.C.
Last night I sang Happy Birthday to BB King - well, along with about 2000 other admirers at the Zenith theatre in Paris. The King was in town as part of his farewell tour and my husband got tickets as a birthday present for another September baby.
To me, BB King is the epitome of the Southern gentleman of a certain generation: hard-working, honest, a good and decent man, despite not always getting a break. And his time on stage reflects his fine character and charm. His powerful music is interspersed with personal stories, exchanges with his band members and the audience. The sheer force of his personality is so strong, the music becomes almost incidental, as a thrilling background to King the man.
King's magic guitar-playing skills are as strong as ever, expertly making his favourite instrument Lucille sing. And his voice is still powerful. His skill as a storyteller draws the audience in, then he rewards his listeners by launching into one of his many stellar hits, such as Ridin' with the King and The Thrill is Gone. Listening to his voice and music, my heart was full.
His touching rendition of the classic You Are My Sunshine brought a tear to my eye. When my daughter was four years old, we often sang that song to each other. And she still has the music box that plays that tune, given to her as solace while I was traveling.
Despite his 14 Grammys, worldwide fame and legendry talents, King has remained true to his Indianaola, Mississippi roots. His good-hearted nature is evident in his pleasant manners. King spent much of the evening thanking the audience with his delightful drawl, "Ya'll have been so nice to us;" introducing and re-introducing his band members and paying tribute to their unique talents. King was accompanied by his family, who flew from the U.S. to celebrate his 81st birthday Saturday.
The Zenith is a nice theatre, except for the strange design of their concrete steps, which has people tripping and falling throughout the evening. Ushers with penlights lead you to your seats - but they've gone ahead to find the seat, leaving one manuevering the double steps - one long wide step topped by a short baby step - in darkness. Perhaps the design was for crowd control; sometimes French logic defies understanding.
King's opening act was an impressive band from Capetown, South Africa, but we never caught their name. By the time we'd gone through security and the slow process of being ushered to our seats, the band's set was well underway.
I will be in Paris 3/21 - 3/30. Could you please tell me where BB King played? Where can I hear some great blues and jazz? I'll be staying at 18 rue d' Amsterdam in the 9th Arridissmont (scuse the spelling).
Alice Brown
781-575-0054
Canton, Ma.
Posted by: alice brown | 18 February 2008 at 20:35
I'd gotten your email and meant to say: So glad you had a fabulous time at the concert! He's such a treasure...here's hoping he'll be with us for a good long while yet. And what a fabulous birthday present!
Posted by: Marilyn | 25 September 2006 at 01:24
B.B. gives a great concert: I was happy to see him in Madison, Wis., but in Paris, now that would be a real treat!
P.S. Your blog is lovely — anothe treat, this one for the eyes.
Posted by: Mimi | 21 September 2006 at 04:58
How totally cool is THAT! I'm jalouse, you know. I love Blues music and BB is one of the greats.
Posted by: The Bold Soul | 20 September 2006 at 21:18
Happy birthday to you, too! The whole month should be for celebrating.
Posted by: Willow Grace | 20 September 2006 at 10:07
Knockin out a lil Thrill is Gone right now as a tribute......"you know you done me wrong...you'll be sorrrrray someday"...caught him at the Memorial Auditoreum a few years back in Sacto. Much rather see him in Paris. Good time for you watchin BluesBoy.
Posted by: Scott | 20 September 2006 at 05:53
I Love BB King! I haven't listened to him in far too long!
Posted by: Alexandra | 19 September 2006 at 06:07
Happy 81st BB! Glad you were able to be there Tara :) What a great gift! XXOO
Posted by: Tammy | 19 September 2006 at 02:05
I'm so happy you were able to see the King of the Blues in person - what a rare and wonderful gift of music your husband gave you. Too bad about the venue. I don't think it's just France, there's a local theater that has a similar stairway; it may have been an architectural trend at one time - one that thankfully didn't take hold in too many places.
Posted by: tinker | 19 September 2006 at 01:46
What a special night. And still celebrating yor bday! I do the same, I start in mid-November and keep going until the New Year!! I hate theatres like that. Hope no one was hurt!! Ouch--and embarassing!!
Posted by: Rosa | 19 September 2006 at 01:45
BB King so wonderful he is the king and stil going strong
Posted by: Emmy Schoonbeek | 18 September 2006 at 22:05
Ah! How fun. BB King in Paris--- What a night!
:)
Posted by: Amber | 18 September 2006 at 20:44
BB really is the King!
What a wonderful experience it was for you. I see him sometimes on TV. He does a tongue-in-cheek commercial.
Posted by: Colette | 18 September 2006 at 19:20
What a lovely evening it must have been. I am still in Paris and I have worn holes in my shoes from all the walking I have done!
Posted by: hundred and one | 18 September 2006 at 16:24
sounds like a great night! your life in Paris sounds wonderful to me, a gal who lives a small village on the other side of the world.
Posted by: miss*R | 18 September 2006 at 15:07
It sounds like a wonderful time. I am sure he heard every voice singing to him. Interesting about the stair design...
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 18 September 2006 at 14:03
You can see the soul in his face, in this photo. What a great experience you must have had.
Posted by: Catherine | 18 September 2006 at 13:11