B.B. King influenced decades of musicians, including country artists. The blues legend and guitar aficionado even joined Brad Paisley on Paisley’s 2008 Play album, to perform “Let the Good Times Roll” with the country star.
The song was a staple at King’s live shows. He also recorded several versions of the tune, including one in 1976, for the Bobby Bland and B.B. King Together Again … Live record. “Let the Good Times Roll” also was the title track of a 1999 album from King.
It was fitting that King joined Paisley on Play, since the mostly instrumental album featured several artists who were influential and inspirational to Paisley, including Buck Owens, Keith Urban and Steve Wariner, among others.
“It will surprise people,” Paisley says of Play. “It’s not all country. We do everything from jazz guitar to one that’s very heavy metal.”
King passed away Thursday night (May 14) in Las Vegas, after spending a couple weeks in hospice. He was 89.
“He changed music forever,” Paisley writes on Twitter. “God bless him.”
