The Origin of Lucille: The Name Behind B.B. King’s Guitar

Near-Death Experience and Rescuing the Guitar

In the winter of 1949, B.B. King found himself performing at a nightclub called Twist in Arkansas [3]. It was during one of his performances that an incident occurred, forever changing the course of his musical journey. In an attempt to combat the cold temperatures, the club used a large garbage pail filled with kerosene as a source of heat. However, a fight broke out, resulting in the pail being knocked over and igniting a fire [3].

As chaos ensued, B.B. King managed to escape the burning building along with the crowd [3]. However, he soon realized that he had left his cherished guitar inside the inferno. Driven by his deep attachment to his instrument, he made a daring choice to re-enter the blazing building, risking his own life to retrieve his beloved guitar [3]. This act of bravery demonstrated the profound bond between a musician and his instrument.

The Fight Over Lucille

After the incident, B.B. King discovered the reason behind the fight that led to the fire. It was revealed that the altercation had erupted over a woman named Lucille, who worked at the nightclub [3]. This revelation deeply affected B.B. King, prompting him to reflect on the dangers of recklessness and the importance of valuing life. In honor of the woman whose presence inadvertently led to his near-death experience, B.B. King decided to name his guitar Lucille [3]. It served as a constant reminder to him of the consequences of impulsive actions and the need to avoid such behavior.

The Legacy of Lucille

The name Lucille became synonymous with B.B. King’s guitars throughout his remarkable career. It is important to note that Lucille is not a singular instrument but rather a name that B.B. King bestowed upon all of his guitars [4]. Each guitar he played became a representation of the enduring bond between the musician and his instrument.

Among his collection, the Gibson semi-hollow body ES-355 became particularly associated with the name Lucille [4]. This guitar, with its distinctive sound and rich tones, became an integral part of B.B. King’s signature style and musical legacy. Lucille, in its various iterations, accompanied B.B. King on countless stages, captivating audiences with its soulful melodies and serving as a testament to the resilience and passion of its owner.

In Conclusion

The story behind B.B. King’s guitar, Lucille, is one of resilience, bravery, and a profound connection between a musician and his instrument. Born out of a near-death experience and a fight over a woman named Lucille, the name became a symbol of caution, reminding B.B. King never to risk his life for something trivial. Lucille, in all its forms, became an extension of B.B. King’s soulful expression, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music.

Sources:

1. Arkansas.com. “B.B. King’s ‘Lucille’ Marker.” Retrieved from http://www.arkansas.com/twist/bb-kings-lucille-marker.
2. NPR. “B.B. King’s Guitar, ‘Lucille,’ Came From A Near-Death Experience.” Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2015/05/15/407071609/b-b-kings-guitar-name-lucille-came-from-a-near-death-experience.
3. Rolling Stone. “The Legacy of Lucille: The Surprising Story Behind B.B. King’s Guitar.” Retrieved from https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/the-legacy-of-lucille-the-surprising-story-behind-b-b-kings-guitar-63896/.

FAQs

How did B.B. King’s guitar get the name Lucille?

The name Lucille originated from a near-death experience that B.B. King had in 1949. While performing at a nightclub called Twist in Arkansas, a fire broke out during a fight. B.B. King risked his life to rescue his guitar from the burning building. Afterward, he learned that the fight had started over a woman named Lucille, and as a reminder not to engage in such risky behavior again, he decided to name his guitar Lucille.

What happened during B.B. King’s near-death experience?

In the winter of 1949, a fire broke out at the Twist nightclub where B.B. King was performing. A fight had caused a large garbage pail filled with kerosene, used for heating, to be knocked over, igniting the fire. Despite the danger, B.B. King went back into the burning building to retrieve his guitar, risking his life in the process.

Who was Lucille, and why did B.B. King name his guitar after her?

Lucille was the name of a woman who worked at the Twist nightclub where the fire occurred. B.B. King discovered that the fight which led to the fire had been over this woman named Lucille. To remind himself of the consequences of his actions during the near-tragic incident, he decided to name his guitar Lucille as a symbol of caution and a reminder to value life.

Were all of B.B. King’s guitars named Lucille?

Yes, throughout his career, B.B. King named all of his guitars Lucille. It became a tradition for him to bestow the name Lucille upon each guitar he played, symbolizing the enduring bond between the musician and his instrument.

Which guitar is most closely associated with the name Lucille?

The Gibson semi-hollow body ES-355 is the guitar most closely associated with the name Lucille and B.B. King’s iconic sound. This guitar became integral to his signature style and musical legacy, delivering the distinctive tones and soulful melodies that defined his performances.