by Michael J. Foy

Over thirty years ago, Elwood Blues declared that the music known as the blues would only be found in your local library, tucked away and forgotten. It’s a declaration that thankfully has only partly come true. The business of music has tried for decades to squeeze the life out of my artists, and created pre recorded, so called “musicians”. Despite their best efforts to clone something that works simply for profit, the undercurrent of genuine talent and ambition has always found a way to push back through to the surface. Nirvana helped to break the mold in the early nineties, Jack White, with every band he’s had, in the 2000’s, The Blues Brothers in the late seventies, Johnny Cash before them, and so on.

With the death of the great B.B. King we lose yet another true artist who grew over time and never relented to the numb bullshit of the music business. Artists like him have helped to keep the craft of musicianship alive in the age of disco, hair metal, boy bands, and auto tune.

Music has always been a huge part of my life, despite being best known for my love of film. As a kid, I grew up on The Blues Brothers film, which blew open the door to some many incredible artists. Although not featured in the film, B.B. King was one I discovered as a result. The more music I uncovered, the more I came to appreciate true bluesman and the like, practicing and honing their craft. The combination of a traditional rock n’ roll quartet with a large horn section, true life stories told through music and between songs; I have never grown tired of, nor do I think I ever will. That’s why to me, it’s so sad to lose another incredibly rich and wonderful musician as legendary as King.

If you have never heard his music before, it’s easier than ever to get started. I can understand that it may not be for everyone, but for myself, finding a genre that speaks to my soul, there is just nothing better. Rest in peace sir, you’ve earned your place in the stars.