Birth and Death Dates
B.B. King was born Riley B. King on September 16, 1925, in Itta Bena, Mississippi, and died on May 14, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at age 89. These dates anchor reliable age calculations for events across his seven-decade career.
Age at Key Career Milestones
Understanding how old B.B. King was at pivotal moments clarifies his timeline and musical evolution. The table below summarizes verified ages at signature achievements, using broadly accepted public records and standard sources.
Key Ages and Events
| Event | Year | Age (Years) | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | 1925 | 0 | Biographical records |
| Moved to Memphis | 1946 | 21 | Biographical records |
| First No. 1 R&B: "3 O'Clock Blues" | 1951 | 26 | Chart records |
| Album debut: "Singin' the Blues" | 1957 | 32 | Label archives |
| Peak commercial success 1960s–1970s | 1960s–1970s | 35–50 | Chart history |
| Appeared at Montreux 1975 | 1975 | 50 | Festival archives |
| Inducted into Rock Hall | 1987 | 62 | Encyclopedia entries |
| Last major tours | 2000s–2014 | 75–89 | Tour logs |
How to Calculate His Age at Any Given Time
To determine how old B.B. King was in a specific year, subtract 1925 from that year and adjust by whether his birthday had passed. For example, in the mid-1960s, around ages 39–44, he was actively recording and performing at a vigorous pace. For dates between known milestones, treat his birth month as September; before September 16 of any year, he had not yet had that year’s birthday.
Career Overview and Age Context
By his late 20s, B.B. King had already scored his first major R&B hit, and by his early 30s he was releasing landmark albums that shaped blues and rock. His age during the 1960s and 1970s placed him in his prime as a touring and recording artist, while his work in the 1980s and beyond demonstrated endurance and evolving artistry. Even in his 70s and 80s, he remained an influential figure, performing worldwide until shortly before his death at 89.
Common Questions About His Age
- When was B.B. King born? He was born September 16, 1925.
- How old was he when he died? He died at age 89 in 2015.
- What year was he in his 30s? He was in his 30s from 1955 to 1964.
- Did he perform into his 80s? Yes, he performed regularly into his late 80s, with his last major touring years occurring 2007–2014.
Legacy and Age-Related Context
B.B. King’s longevity is as notable as his influence. Spanning from the postwar blues circuit to modern festivals, his career reflects sustained relevance across generations. Accurate age context helps frame his artistic choices, collaborations, and the endurance he brought to live performance, making age an integral part of understanding his place in music history.