Local bluesman and veteran musician Ron Campbell and his band Blues Busters are presenting an evening of blues music to pay homage to BB King.
Campbell is calling the show The Thrill Is On, a reference to one of King’s most famous tunes, “The Thrill is Gone.”
Campbell and his band are regular performers at Carlson Community Club and though he said it was natural for him to put this show on there, he wanted to do something out of the ordinary.
Over the years, Campbell has learned about King’s life and the jazz and blues musicians who influenced King. So, in addition to King’s songs and stories, Campbell will also play music that influenced King and in turn do a few of his own songs that were influenced by King.
For Campbell the show is not only about paying homage to one of his musical heroes, it’s about showing the connections of musicians.
“It’s all about one musician passing it on to another,” said Campbell, who likes his blues on the jazzy side.
He was only 18 years old the first time he saw King play and the performance stayed with him over the span of his 40 years as a musician.
“I owe an enormous debt to BB King, as do all blues musicians,” said Campbell who credits blues’ mainstream appeal to King’s talent and longevity. “Blues has always been close to my heart and it’s what I love to play.”
King, who grew up on the Mississippi Delta, rose out of rural poverty to become one of the world’s leading blues musicians. He still performs 100 shows per year at 87 years old. He has recorded 60 albums and is known around the world as the King of Blues. He has won eight Grammy awards.
The Thrill Is On begins at 8 pm Friday, February 22 at the club, 4463 Joyce Avenue. Tickets for the show are $12.50, available at the door and Rockit Music on Alberni Street.
