Charlie Apicella’s Salute to B.B. King

I’m happy to report that B.B. was the same charming, loving, fascinating person off stage as he was on stage. I was just starting my journey as a musician when I met him and it’s a moment that changed everything for me.

He signed my guitar and gave me an impromptu music lesson right there. He was excited to hear about my interest in music and I even asked him about the blues origins of jazz. He shared his love of Kenny Burrell and Wes Montgomery with me.