Bluesy evening features crowning performance by B.B. King

Observer Staff

1/25/2005 12:00:00 AM

The thrill wasn't gone for 83-year-old Burnell Conliffe after she attended the B.B. King show on Aug. 25 at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort.

"I'm so excited," she stated. Conliffee, who lives in West Virginia, was in Flint visiting with family and was taken to the B.B. King Blues Festival by granddaughter Cynthia Baskin.

"She's always talked about B.B. King," explained Baskin. "She was singing during the show and when it was over, she said, �Oh how I wish I could meet him and get his autograph.' My grandma and I happened to be down by the stage after the show and some lady asked her how she liked the concert. She then asked us if we would like to meet him. I don't even know who this lady was, but she turned a very special evening for us into a dream."

A very special evening, indeed for blues aficionados.

The four-hour show included performances from the Muddy Waters Blues Band, Shemekia Copeland, Dr. John and Elvin Bishop.

Waxing philosophy in during his songs, the "Ambassador of the Blues" left little doubt he is enjoying his golden years.

"I'm 78-years-old and I have had a lot of time to reflect on L-O-V-E," he stated. "A lot of young people say you're �78-years-young.' Bull. God has been good to us, we're not afraid of death."

He also touched upon the recent passings of President Ronald Reagan and music legend Ray Charles, plus "so many others."

For more than half a century, Riley B. King-better known as B.B. King-has defined the blues for a worldwide audience. Despite his age, he still averages playing over 250 concerts a year around the world. He also opened up three B.B. King's Blues Clubs in Tennessee, California and New York.

He is best known for such classics as "Payin' the Cost to be the Boss," The Thrill is Gone," "Everyday I Have the Blues" and "Why I Sing the Blues." His first big break came in 1948 when he performed on Sonny Boy Williamson's radio program on KWEM as the Beale Street Blues Boy.

There are also plans for a $10 million B.B. King museum in Indianola, Miss. The 15,000-square-foot facility is projected to open in 2005, during the international celebration of B.B. King's 80th year. King turns 79 on Sept. 16.

In talking with Chief Audrey Falcon, King said he was humbled in her presence.

"I met a king about three months ago," he stated. On May 24, King met His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden while accepting the Polar Music Prize-the Royal Swedish Academy of Music Award. "But I've never had the pleasure to meet a female chief, the leader of an Indian Tribe."

"There's not too many of us," said Falcon.

King's effervescent humor was apparent when one well-wisher gave him a box of chocolate-covered pecans.

"If I eat chocolates, that's the end of B.B." he said.

When it was explained the treats were sugar-free and intended for diabetics, King responded, "Well let's break them open."

He talked optimistically after the show about the disease encouraging others with diabetes to take care of themselves.

"One day they'll find a cure," he said.