One of the reasons I was attracted to work at MCA Records was BB King. BB King spent his entire career at MCA Records. The man is an icon in the blues arena. My father was a huge BB King fan and growing up I dissected my fathers BB King record collection. When I joined MCA it was a pleasure to be able to work for the company but also have the opportunity to work with BB King and eventually take my father to a BB King performance and introduce them.
BB King was the most humble and gracious person you could ever meet and the story goes like this. BB King announced a tour and it would be coming to the Bay Area. He would be performing at The Concord Pavilion. I contacted management and was able to set up a private greet and meet. His manager told me that BB liked to do greet and meets prior to his performances and not afterwards. Everything was set. We arrived at the Venue in time to catch the opening act Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble. After their blistering set I grabbed my father and headed into the catacoms of the Concord Pavilions dressing rooms. Upon entry we were met by Stevie Ray Vaughn and his band in the back stage area. (I’ll save that for another story.) finding the signs pointing to BB Kings dressing room we made are way through the hallways to a larger than life man sitting on a stool at the doorway of his dressing room smiling and motioning to us saying “Come on in and meet BB King. The man was beautiful and friendly and nice, he had a couch, chairs, flowers on his coffee table and a credenza with a bottle of Cutty Sark with 3 glasses. He said “ Would you like to have a drink with BB King?” Of course we jumped at the chance, drinks and conversation ensued. After a while BB King stood up and said I have a present for your father. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a Gold Lapel Pin of his infamous guitar named “Lucille” and gave it to my father. Gracious and kind, BB King had a full heart and showed it on that night. We left heading out to our seats with a feeling of an amazing connection to one incredible human being. We watched as he dazzled the crowd and performed his consummate show, leaving an indelible image in our minds.