The King of Blues, B.B. King, was rushed to the hospital last night, April 6, and treated for dehydration caused by his Type 2 diabetes. Initial reports did not include the reason for his hospital visit, but King's daughter later told The Los Angeles Times that the 89-year-old guitar legend was feeling "much better." The singer was hospitalized last October for the same reason, which resulted in the cancellation of eight shows.
As Rolling Stone noted, King lives on the road -- he has spent 65 years performing 300 or more shows a year. He has admittedly started to scale that number back in the past few years.
Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top paid tribute to the bluesman after he was included in Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists list at No. 6.
"He plays in shortened bursts, with a richness and robust delivery," Gibbons wrote. "And there is a technical dexterity, a cleanly delivered phrasing. This was sophisticated soloing. It's so identifiable, so clear, it could be written out. John Lee Hooker -- his stuff was too difficult to write out. But B.B. was a genuine soloist."
The guitarist released his last album, One Kind Flavor, in 2008. T-Bone Burnett produced the record that included Dr. John on the piano and tunes by blues greats Blind Lemon Jefferson and John Lee Hooker, among others.
Following the scare in October, King took to his website to let everyone know he was doing just fine.
"I'm back at home now listening to music, watching movies and enjoying some down time," he said. "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."
