Legendary King of the Blues “B.B. King” comes to the Paramount Theatre January 15th

Aurora, IL – Riley B.B. King, a 15-time Grammy Award winner and decorated jazz legend returns to the Paramount stage for one show only, at 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 15^th. In his last Paramount appearance, the legendary “King of the Blues” captivated a sold out, standing room only house, for two solid hours with virtuoso guitar playing, commanding vocals, intimate storytelling and beguiling showmanship. He reigned across the decades as the genre’s most recognizable and influential artist.

Throughout the 1990’s as well as the 1980’s 1970’s, 1960’s and 1950’s, there has been only one King of the Blues – Riley B. King, affectionately known as B.B. King. Since B.B. started recording in the late 1940’s, he has released over 50 albums many of them considered blues classics, like 1965’s definitive live blues album “Live at the Regal”, and 1976’s collaboration with Bobby “Blue” Bland, “Together for the First Time”.

Over the years, B.B. has had two number one R & B hits; 1951’s “Three O’clock Blues” and 1952’s “You Don’t Know Me” and four number two R & B hits; 1953’s “Please Love Me”, 1954’s “You Upset me Baby”, 1960’s “Sweet Sixteen, Part 1” and 1966’s “Don’t Answer The Door, Part 1”. B.B.’s most popular crossover hit, 1970’s “The Thrill Is Gone” went to #15 pop.

In addition, B.B. has been honored by his peers with eight Grammy Awards. Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance by Male in 1970 for “The Thrill Is Gone”, Best Ethnic or Traditional recording in 1981 for “There Must Be A Better World Somewhere”, Best Traditional Blues Recording in 1983 for “Blues ‘N Jazz” and in 1985 for “My Guitar Sings The Blues” from “Six Silver Strings”. In 1970, King’s “Indianola Mississippi Seeds” won for Best Album Cover, an art director’s award. In 1989 King received two more nominations: Best Contemporary Blues Recording “King Of The Blues 1989”, and Best Rock Performance by a duo or group with vocal for “When Love Comes To Town” with U2 fromU2’s “Rattle And Him”. In 1990 King received another Grammy for the album “Live at San Quentin” as Best Traditional Blues Recording. In 1991, King was bestowed Best Traditional Blues Recording for “Live at the Apollo” and in 1993 the same award for “Blues Summit”. And in 1996, along with Eric Clapton, Jimmie Vaughn, Robert Gray, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Dr. John and Art Neville, King received the Best Rock Instrumental Performance for “SRV Shuffle” from A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan.

B.B. King comes to the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL at 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 15^th. Tickets are $59.50, $69.50, $79.50 and $89.50 and can be purchased at the Paramount Theatre Box Office, by phone at (630) 896-6666 or at any TicketMaster ticket outlet. B.B. King is sponsored by NMLP, The Baker’s Basket and The Barry Family. The 2010-2011 Season is sponsored by the Paramount Arts Centre Endowment, American Airlines and The Beacon News/Sun Publications.

For more information about this show or the Paramount Theatre schedule, visit the Paramount Theatre online at http://www.paramountaurora.com.