The Story Behind BB King’s Guitar: Lucille
BB King, the legendary American blues musician, was not only known for his soulful vocals and mesmerizing performances but also for his iconic guitar, Lucille. Lucille was more than just a guitar to BB King; it was a symbol of his passion, resilience, and the power of music. In this article, we explore the fascinating story behind BB King’s guitar and how it came to be named Lucille.
The Near-Death Experience
The name “Lucille” originated from a near-death experience that BB King had in 1949. While performing at a dance hall in Twist, Arkansas, a fight broke out among the audience members. In the chaos, a barrel of burning kerosene was knocked over, engulfing the hall in flames. The crowd quickly evacuated, but BB King realized that he had left his beloved $30 Gibson guitar inside.
Despite the danger, BB King bravely re-entered the burning building to retrieve his guitar. It was later revealed that the fight had erupted over a woman named Lucille, who worked at the dance hall. Inspired by this incident, BB King decided to name his guitar Lucille as a constant reminder to himself never to engage in foolish or dangerous behavior like fighting over a woman or risking his life unnecessarily.
Lucille: The Name for All Guitars
Lucille became more than just the name of one guitar for BB King; it became a moniker for all of his guitars throughout his career. Whether it was a black Gibson ES-330 or ES-355 model, BB King would affectionately refer to it as Lucille.
The Gibson Lucille Model
In 1980, Gibson Guitar Corporation introduced a custom model called Lucille, specifically designed for BB King. The Lucille model was based on the Gibson ES-355 and had several distinct features. One notable feature was the “Lucille” script on the headstock, distinguishing it from other Gibson models. Additionally, the Lucille model featured a maple neck and lacked F-holes on the top, which helped reduce feedback during performances.
Gibson produced the B.B. King Lucille model from 1980 to 1985, featuring chrome hardware and dot inlays. Later, Gibson’s subsidiary, Epiphone, also released a low-cost Lucille model with some design variations and different pickups.
The Little Lucille and 80th Birthday Lucille
In 1999, Gibson launched the “Little Lucille,” a variation of its Blueshawk guitar. The Little Lucille had a Tune-o-matic bridge and a TP-6 stop tailpiece, distinguishing it from its predecessor.
To commemorate BB King’s 80th birthday in 2005, Gibson created a special run of 80 Gibson Lucilles, known as the “80th Birthday Lucille.” The first prototype was intricately engraved by Baron Technology Inc., with design work by Scott Jeffrey. This prototype was presented to BB King as a heartfelt birthday gift and became his primary guitar until it was unfortunately stolen in 2009. Fortunately, the instrument was later recovered and returned to BB King.
Closing Thoughts
BB King’s guitar, Lucille, holds a special place in music history. It symbolizes BB King’s dedication to his craft, his love for music, and the life-changing experiences that shaped his career. Lucille not only served as a powerful instrument for BB King’s performances but also became an iconic representation of his unique style and contribution to the blues genre.
FAQs
What did BB King call his guitar?
BB King called his guitar Lucille. The name Lucille was given to all of his guitars throughout his career, not just a specific one.
Why did BB King name his guitar Lucille?
BB King named his guitar Lucille after a near-death experience he had in 1949. During a performance at a dance hall in Twist, Arkansas, a fight broke out and a barrel of burning kerosene was knocked over, setting the hall on fire. BB King risked his life to save his $30 Gibson guitar, and later learned that the fight was over a woman named Lucille. He named his guitar Lucille as a reminder not to engage in foolish or dangerous behavior like fighting over a woman or risking his life unnecessarily.
What type of guitars did BB King primarily play?
BB King primarily played black Gibson guitars, particularly models similar to the ES-330 or ES-355.
When was the Gibson Lucille model introduced?
The Gibson Lucille model was introduced in 1980.
What were the distinct features of the Gibson Lucille model?
The Gibson Lucille model had several distinct features. It featured the “Lucille” script on the headstock, a maple neck, and the absence of F-holes on the top to reduce feedback during performances.
Did Gibson’s subsidiary, Epiphone, produce a Lucille model?
Yes, Gibson’s subsidiary, Epiphone, also produced a low-cost Lucille model with some design variations and different pickups.
Did BB King have any other variations of the Lucille model?
Yes, in 1999, Gibson launched the “Little Lucille,” which was a variation of its Blueshawk guitar. It had a Tune-o-matic bridge and a TP-6 stop tailpiece.
Were there any special editions of the Lucille model?
Yes, in 2005, Gibson made a special run of 80 Gibson Lucilles called the “80th Birthday Lucille” to celebrate BB King’s 80th birthday. The first prototype was engraved and presented to BB King as a birthday gift.