MISSISSIPPI — Outside Indianola, B.B. King was a blues superstar, a guitar legend who inspired Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and countless other musicians. Born as Riley B. King, B.B. King died at 89 on Friday at his home in Las Vegas. His life story is told at the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, which opened in 2008, attracting visitors from around the world who seek an authentic American roots music experience. But at King's insistence, the small museum has become a community center, hosting music camps for children, offering docent jobs to young adults, and sponsoring seminars on such topics as controlling diabetes, a disease King had for years. Tourists trickled into the museum Friday to pay their respects. Outside, a black ribbon tied in a bow adorned the neck of a statue of King's guitar “Lucille,” a guitar King spoke fondly of in a 2005 speech. “I never learned to talk very well without Lucille,” King said that day, speaking of his black Gibson guitar. “But today, I'm trying to say only God knows how I feel. I am so happy. Thank you.” - AP
