Legendary blues artist B.B. King died at the age of 89 on Thursday night (May 14). King‘s lawyer reported that King passed away in his sleep at his home in Las Vegas, according to The Pulse Of Radio. He had long suffered from Type II diabetes and canceled a tour last October due to ill health. He never performed live again.

Known for classic songs like “The Thrill Is Gone”, King was a touring artist for more than 50 years averaging 275 shows a year. He also released more than 50 albums since the 1940s, was inducted into both the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and the Blues Hall Of Fame, won 15 Grammy Awards — including a Lifetime Achievement Award — and was the recipient of Kennedy Center Honors from President Bill Clinton in 1995.

Ranked No. 6 on Rolling Stone‘s 2011 list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time, King influenced generations of blues and rock guitarists and was one of the biggest blues artists to cross over from regional success to mainstream and commercial fame within his own lifetime.

Born in Mississippi as Riley B. King on September 16, 1925, King worked in the cotton fields as an orphan before starting on the path that made him a living legend and a national treasure.

B.B. King R.I.P. King of the Blues !!

Posted by Slash on Friday, May 15, 2015

Rest In Peace BB King! You shared this wonderfully expressive music with the world, influenced a lot of my early…

Posted by Steve Smyth on Friday, May 15, 2015

RIP B.B. King – thank you for the inspiration and music!

Posted by Mat Sinner on Thursday, May 14, 2015

God bless you BB… Rest in peace my friend. Thank you for all that you did for this kid and so many others. An extremely sad day to say the least.

Posted by Joe Bonamassa on Thursday, May 14, 2015

BB King a dear friend and inspiration to me….

Posted by Eric Clapton on Friday, May 15, 2015

B.B. King you were and always will be a legend in your own right. RIP B.Bhttps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4fk2prKnYnI

Posted by Steve Grimmett’s Grim Reaper on Friday, May 15, 2015

Rest in Peace MR BB King! Thanks for all that amazing music! Right down to my soul! #legend

Posted by Jack Russell’s Great White Pirates Page on Thursday, May 14, 2015

My heart goes out to BB King’s family and all who loved him. A great friend and an amazing guitar player left us peacefully today. We will all miss you BB. RIP

Posted by Peter Frampton on Friday, May 15, 2015

Rest In Peace B.B King!!! Thank you for everything you have contributed to music and humanity. ❤️ Tom Maxwell. 󾠔󾠔󾠔

Posted by HELLYEAH on Thursday, May 14, 2015

God Bless B.B. King, his family and all fans around the world. He touched many hearts with his spirit & God given talent! Heaven just received The King of Blues. Love & Respect…

Posted by Michael Sweet on Friday, May 15, 2015

BB.King R.I.P. Blues Legend! The thrill is gone!

Posted by Simon Wright on Thursday, May 14, 2015

(R.I.P.) ” Mr. BB King”

Posted by Rick Rozz DeLillo on Friday, May 15, 2015

Very sad. BB KING: Rest In Peace.. http://t.co/VHNZhg6H2l

— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) May 15, 2015

So sad to wake up this morning and hear the news about the passing of the great B B King.

— Joe Perry (@JoePerry) May 15, 2015

Nobody lives forever but their music can.Thank you B.B.King for all those beautiful gems you gave us in your 89 years here. RIP

— Nikki Sixx (@NikkiSixx) May 15, 2015

RIP BB KING. A TRUE LEGEND

— Vince Neil (@thevinceneil) May 15, 2015

My friend and ledgend BB King passed.. I’m so so sad….he was so great to me… We’ve lost the King….. My love and prayers to his family.

— RICHIE SAMBORA (@TheRealSambora) May 15, 2015

Fonte: Blabbermouth.net