Motorists driving on a stretch of U.S. 61 in Tennessee will be traveling the B.B. King Highway. A ceremony noting a name change for the highway was held last week at the Beale Street nightclub that also bears King’s name.
The 79-year-old famed bluesman was on hand, but without the guitar he calls Lucille.
“I’m not very good at talking and Lucille is asleep on the bus,” King said. “Thank you Memphis. Thanks to all of you, God bless you.”
King, whose given name is Riley, grew up in rural Mississippi. He began his career on Beale Street and took the stage name “B.B.” for Beale Street Blues Boy.