Blues legend B.B. King has died in Las Vegas aged 89, his lawyer confirmed on Thursday. Attorney Brent Bryson said King died peacefully in his sleep at 9:40 p.m. PDT at his Clark County, Nevad home in Las Vegas. King, widely regarded as the 'King Of Blues', sold millions of records worldwide, won 15 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. BB, real name Riley B. King, was admitted to hospital last month for diabetes-related ailments, but was discharged when he insisted on at-home hospice care as opposed to hospitalisation. Speaking at the start of May, King's business manager Laverne Toney said: 'Mr. King is where he wishes to be. He's always told me he doesn't want to be in a hospital. He wants to be at home.' Meanwhile, a message on his Official Facebook page said: 'A Message From B,B, "I am in home hospice care at my residence in Las Vegas. Thanks to all for your well wishes and prayers."'
The blues guitarist - a father of 11 - was treated at the hospital for complications of high blood pressure and diabetes, The Telegraph reports, though King was diagnosed with Type II diabetes over 25 years ago.
King's father Albert King died aged 87 and was known to suffer from high blood glucose and gout, while his mother Nora Ella Farr died when King was nine, going blind from diabetes before her death.
Musician B.B was forced to cancel eight dates on his US tour in October 2014 when he fell on stage and was rushed to hospital in Chicago for exhaustion and dehydration.
A statement explaining the incident read: 'The combination of the rigors of the very long drive and high blood sugar due to his medication error resulted in a performance that did not match Mr. King's usual standard of excellence.'
The blues guitarist - a father of 11 - was treated at the hospital for complications of high blood pressure and diabetes, The Telegraph reports, though King was diagnosed with Type II diabetes over 25 years ago.
King's father Albert King died aged 87 and was known to suffer from high blood glucose and gout, while his mother Nora Ella Farr died when King was nine, going blind from diabetes before her death.
Musician B.B was forced to cancel eight dates on his US tour in October 2014 when he fell on stage and was rushed to hospital in Chicago for exhaustion and dehydration.
A statement explaining the incident read: 'The combination of the rigors of the very long drive and high blood sugar due to his medication error resulted in a performance that did not match Mr. King's usual standard of excellence.'
Another statement from the star on his website said: 'I'm back at home now listening to music, watching movies and enjoying some down time
'I think I'm busier at home now than on the road talking to friends calling to check up on me. I do appreciate everyone's calls and concern. I want to tell you, I'm doing alright.'
King again took to his Facebook page to reassure fans, saying: 'A Message from B.B. "I want to thank everyone for their concern and good wishes. I'm feeling much better & am leaving the hospital today."'
A week later he wrote: 'A Message from B.B. "I've been back home for a little over a week now and am feeling better."'
King was born Riley B. King in 1925 in Mississippi, Tennessee, where he was inspired to take up guitar a pastor in his church.
The one-time farmhand brought new fans to the blues and influenced a generation of musicians with his heartfelt vocals and soaring guitar on songs such as The Thrill Is Gone.
King played a Gibson guitar that he affectionately called Lucille and was recognised as a mentor to scores of guitarists including Eric Clapton.
Clapton honoured King during an interview with The Times in 2005, in which he said: 'B.B. King taps into something universal. He can't be confined to any one genre. That's why I've called him a ‘global musician.' (Dailymail)
'I think I'm busier at home now than on the road talking to friends calling to check up on me. I do appreciate everyone's calls and concern. I want to tell you, I'm doing alright.'
King again took to his Facebook page to reassure fans, saying: 'A Message from B.B. "I want to thank everyone for their concern and good wishes. I'm feeling much better & am leaving the hospital today."'
A week later he wrote: 'A Message from B.B. "I've been back home for a little over a week now and am feeling better."'
King was born Riley B. King in 1925 in Mississippi, Tennessee, where he was inspired to take up guitar a pastor in his church.
The one-time farmhand brought new fans to the blues and influenced a generation of musicians with his heartfelt vocals and soaring guitar on songs such as The Thrill Is Gone.
King played a Gibson guitar that he affectionately called Lucille and was recognised as a mentor to scores of guitarists including Eric Clapton.
Clapton honoured King during an interview with The Times in 2005, in which he said: 'B.B. King taps into something universal. He can't be confined to any one genre. That's why I've called him a ‘global musician.' (Dailymail)
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