’70s Rock Icon Helps Launch Star-Studded Tribute for B.B. King’s 100th Birthday
A century after his birth, the music of B.B. King continues to resonate — and now, some of rock and blues’ biggest names are coming together to honor his legacy in a powerful way.
Released in celebration of what would have been King’s 100th birthday in 2025, B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 features 32 newly recorded covers of his most beloved songs. Produced by acclaimed blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa alongside Josh Smith, the tribute album gathers an all-star lineup united by admiration for the legendary blues pioneer.
A Tribute Decades in the Making
Among the most notable contributors is Eric Clapton, who teams up with Chaka Khan for a stirring rendition of “The Thrill Is Gone.” Other featured artists include Slash, Train, Marcus King, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and many more — each bringing their own interpretation while preserving the emotional core of King’s music.
For Bonamassa, the project is deeply personal. He began his professional career at just 12 years old, opening for B.B. King. In announcing the album, he shared that producing this tribute felt like honoring “a friend, mentor, and musical hero,” expressing hope that King himself would be proud of the celebration.
Eric Clapton and B.B. King: A 40-Year Friendship
Clapton’s involvement carries special meaning. His connection to B.B. King stretches back to the 1960s, when a young Clapton was still building his career. He has frequently cited King as one of his earliest and most profound influences, particularly praising the 1965 classic B.B. King Live at the Regal.
“B.B. is like a father figure and uncle,” Clapton once said. “He’s this genius artist to me. I can’t ever see myself as being in the same league with him.”
The two first met in 1967 at Café Au Go-Go in New York City, where King invited Clapton — then with Cream — to join him onstage for an impromptu jam. That encounter marked the beginning of a musical relationship that would span decades.
In 1997, Clapton appeared on King’s album Deuces Wild, performing on a re-recorded version of “Rock Me Baby.” A few years later, they released their full-length collaborative album Riding with the King in 2000, which won the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album. The record remains one of the most celebrated blues collaborations of the modern era.
A Legacy That Refuses to Fade
B.B. King often spoke warmly about their creative chemistry. In interviews, he described the silent communication they shared while playing together — the smiles exchanged mid-performance, the unspoken understanding that defined their sound.
When King passed away in 2015, Clapton reflected on his impact, calling him “a beacon for all of us who loved this kind of music.” He emphasized how rare it was to encounter someone who carried the blues with such purity and conviction.
The release of B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 ensures that his influence continues to inspire new generations. Rather than simply revisiting his catalog, the album invites contemporary artists to reinterpret his songs while honoring the spirit that made them timeless.
More Than a Tribute
What makes this project stand out is not just its impressive roster of performers, but the shared reverence behind it. For many of the musicians involved, B.B. King was not only a pioneer of blues — he was a guiding light.
As his centennial birthday approaches, this tribute album serves as both celebration and reminder: while legends may leave the stage, their music endures.
And in the case of B.B. King, that enduring sound continues to sing through every guitar bend, every soulful note, and every artist who carries his influence forward.