Eric Clapton thanks Blues legend BB King for his friendship in touching video
Eric Clapton has paid tribute to legendary Blues musician BB King in a touching video.
The former Cream frontman thanked the late musician for his inspiration and encouragement in a short clip posted to his official Facebook account.
Clapton, 70, said: “I just want to express my sadness and to say thank you to my dear friend B B King. I want to thank him for all the inspiration and encouragement he gave me as a player over the years and for the friendship we enjoyed."
The Tears In Heaven musician also described King as a "beacon" of the blues genre.
BB King a dear friend and inspiration to me....
Posted by Eric Clapton on Friday, 15 May 2015
"There’s not a lot left to say because his music is almost a thing of the past now," he said. "There are not many left that play it in the pure way that BB did. He was a beacon for all of us who loved this kind of music and I thank him from the bottom of my heart."
Clapton concluded by encouraging younger audience’s to go out and buy King’s music and personally recommended his 1965 album Live at the Regal.
He said: "If you’re not familiar with his work I'd encourage you to go out and find an album called BB King Live at the Regal which is where it all started for me as a player."
King's lawyer confirmed that the singer had passed away in his sleep in Las Vegas this morning.
