ONE of the founders of renowned Scots soul group Average White Band has paid tribute to King of the Blues guitarist and singer BB King who proved a key inspiration.

 

AWB guitarist and singer Onnie McIntyre talked of the legendary blues artist's influence as figures from across the world paid their respects.

The memories of the King of the Blues came flooding back as it was announced BB King had died, aged 89. He was recently taken to hospital with a diabetes-related illness.

For most of a career spanning nearly 70 years, Riley B. King was the undisputed King of the Blues and a mentor to scores of guitarists, who included Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, John Mayall and Keith Richards. He recorded more than 50 albums and toured the world well into his 80s, often performing 250 or more concerts a year.

US president Barack Obama, who was once persuaded to sing along with BB to his Sweet Home Chicago at the White House paid his warm tribute saying: "The blues has lost its king, and America has lost a legend.

"BB may be gone, but that thrill will be with us forever. And there's going to be one killer blues session in heaven tonight."

Mr McIntyre recalled their first concert dates in the US with BB King before they became global stars and said: "BB was the biggest, the last of the Kings, now gone."

In 1973, before they became one of Scotland's most successful bands, they were "six hairy-assed Scotsmen" with a passion for soul and R&B music who had only formed the previous year.

He,even then, was had a reputation as one of the greatest blues musicians there has ever been.

Together they embarked on a two week tour on the east coast of the US, which helped changed the lives of the members of the rhythm and blues combo.

Mr McIntyre, speaking from New York, recalled: "It was 1973. We formed in 1972, but this was our first American tour, taking in Washington DC.

"We were with BB on his bus. So we were all sitting up at the front, hanging on every word. It was just an amazing experience for six hairy assed Scotsmen.

"We had a great time with BB. He was a thorough gentleman. A beautiful guy; the nicest you could imagine. And a total professional.

"He was just down to earth, straightforward and very very encouraging.

"He'd say, 'You guys, I like the way you play'. He just said we were on the right track and to keep doing what we were doing and don't deviate and we'd be fine. And even though it was slightly different from the music he was doing, he liked it."

BB proved to be key in helping the Scots band win over sceptical black audiences.

"People heard the name of our band (and the music) and assumed that we were black Americans. But then we turned up and they'd say where is the band? And it was us. The audiences were there and it was mainly black audiences because it's a BB King tour and they're all sitting with arms folded and eyebrows raised thinking, 'Oh god, a bunch of white guys'.

"But we were young and we were confident in what we were doing, and we had BB saying do what you are doing.

"Then you'd see the audience come round once we started to play and eventually they'd be dancing in the isles. And if we did two shows a night, some people would come back with tambourines, and shakers, and dancing."

Two years later Pick Up The Pieces became the Average White Band's biggest chart success, hitting the top ten in the UK and becoming a number one hit in the US.

Dire Straits frontman Glasgow-born Mark Knopfler was among other luminaries who paid their respects. He said: "BB King was an enormous influence on me and for countless others. BB will always be in my heart."

Guitarist Eric Clapton added: "I want to thank him for all the inspiration and encouragement he gave me as a player over the years and the friendship we enjoyed."