When we returned to the stage we were told that the band would perform first for a couple of songs without King. So for around twenty minutes we were treated to some fine jazz jamming from Tony Coleman on drums, Walter King on tenor sax, Melvin Jackson on sax, James ‘Boogaloo’ Bolden and Stanley Abernathy on trumpets and flute, Charlie Dennis on guitar, Reggie Richards on bass and Ernest Vantrease on  keyboards and piano. Several of the guys took turns at the solo mic and I loved every minute of it. It was as though King wanted his hand-picked band members to share the spotlight in the only way they could; by taking over the stage for a few precious minutes. There was mutual respect and friendship on that stage, the like of which I haven’t witnessed before.

Around twenty-minutes later Bolden turned to his left raised his arm in welcome and salute as BB King walked slowly onto the stage from the wings. He seemed to tower over everybody as he first looked, smiling, at the audience (who gave him a standing ovation) and then over to his band who returned his gaze with deep love and respect. There were so many special moments to report on this wonderful and unforgettable night. The second was the care taken by Bolden to ensure that King and his beloved guitar (Lucille) were safely deposited in the chair that would be occupied for the whole show. While this was taking place another band member attended to King’s mic to ensure it was perfectly positioned for the next hour and a half. He tossed a few things out to the audience and then the fun began…

I watched King’s face as he attached the reptile skin decorated guitar strap to his shiny-black signature Gibson 6 string guitar; it was as though he was greeting a long-lost, much loved and fragile friend. And it was only a matter of seconds before he started his conversation with it. Clapton just didn’t come close… The velvety, rounded tones of Lucille filled that huge auditorium - it didn’t just play, it spoke the blues under the bejewelled fingers of its best friend. It was incredible.

King is 83 and not in the best of health but that chair, that band, that guitar and that audience seemed to be the tonic he thrives on; that keeps him alive and kicking big-time. King has the blues pumping through his veins and a lifetime of experience to relate. After that first burst of guitar he began a conversation with the audience while music continued to quietly play in the background. He talked about his love for women, his health, ‘little purple pills’, studio recordings with Eric Clapton and much, much more.

When he sang and I was taken aback by the smooth power of his voice which seemed like a vintage V8 with throttle opening and closing. It was like a huge dam bursting with a huge torrent of water rushing through to very corner of the venue when it was at its most passionate and loudest. It was amazing to hear, and incredible to see this sound achieved with little apparent effort. He’s a visually expressive performer; whether playing Lucille or singing; his eyes are usually closed as though he’s visualising what he plays; digging into that long memory of his; his facial expressions following every emotion and note.

While a blues man to the core some of his songs were laced with jazz, and especially when the pianist kicked in. Songs included ‘The Thrill Is Gone’, ‘One Kind Favour’, ‘Everyday I have The Blues’, ‘Let The Good Times Roll’ and the U2 composition, ‘When Love Comes To Town.’

The few recording I have are on vinyl so the following day I popped along to HMV and picked up a ‘Best of’ CD to play on our next radio show. I relived some of those memorable moments while discovering some new ones including the brilliant gospel-infused ‘Hummingbird’ and ‘Into The Night’ - great vintage recordings. BB King and his Band had provided me with a musical experience of a lifetime, and I can honestly now claim that I have seen the very best…