Who has seen BB King in concert?

Question

And who was his opening act?

Great answers so far. Last time I saw him the opening acts were also Bobby Bland the man, and the Manhattans, same as Boos answered. The first time, his opening act was Roy Buchanan. I can't even describe how good that was.

Answer 1

saw mr king at the state theater in ithaca ny early 80's there was no more than 1500 people the place was standing room only his back-up band was the bobby "blue"bland band which did there own set the warm up band was a band that played in the northeast alot back then called the duke robbilard band i've seen him lots of times great live and he plays rockabilly and blues

Answer 2

First time I saw BB, he was the closing act after a hot set of musicians in 1990. The Alligator All Stars opened the show, with Koko Taylor, Junior Wells, and Lonnie Brooks. The show was hot at this point, and then Buddy Guy came out! He played hot as he always does (will see him in Syracuse next month). Then Eric Johnson, the guy didn't quite fit in, he was the big downwer on the night. Me and my friend were talking before BB came that noone could top Buddy, he said BB would, and indeed he did. I was 16 at the time, that show inspired me to play blues, and I'm quite a mean player now. My real hero these days is Mem Shannon. Have you seen this guy live!

Second time I saw BB, it wasn't that glamorous at all. There were some lame acts before him, and I don't remember the show.

Third time I saw BB, Bobby "Blue" opened for him and man I had to see this because I'm a big fan of both. It was in Merrillville, IN in 1997. BB was in full form and he just found this jazz guitarist, and BB was playing some mean licks he learned from this guy. The tour was for the album he released as a tribute to "Louis Jordan". That is the only blues concert I have been to where there were more blacks than whites, and I was fully impressed how sharply black men dress when they go to hear music as compared to the white blues lovers. The blacks had 100% more than the whites that I saw such a drastic concept of how the two view the blues genre. I think blues is a classy type music and that is how I approach. Blues is losing it's ground because now only washed up old white men that couldn't play music to begin with are playing it, and kinda ruling the local clubs doing this. Blues is classy, about being proud that you can sing well and play a mean guitar, not about being poor and inadequate. BB King represent this to me. I will do my best to keep real blues going, but the scene out there now is really boring and cliche, and class is the last thing on their mind...

Answer 3

The most recent time I saw BB his opening act was John Hammond, Jr. who, despite being even older than I am, was outstanding.
This summer, BB is playing some dates with Etta James - unfortunately those shows are far, far, away from me - and that would be something to experience.
As some of the responders have noted, with BB's age and health, his live shows can be inconsistent these days. He is, however, a great entertainer even when his performance is a little slack.
And, struct_engir, I've not only seen Mem Shannon, but also back in the early 90s I caught his cab in New Orleans - about a '74 purple Plymouth Fury!

Answer 4

I have been to 5 BB King concerts in 3 different venues: 3x in Phx, where there were no opening acts, once in Coeur d'Alene, Id where the Robert Cray band opened (1983) & once in St Louis where Bobby Blues Boy Bland was the opener. Wasn't too crazy about the last time I saw him in Phx as it was too commercial & staged.

Answer 5

I have and he was fabulous! His openers were, Bobby "Blue" Bland , and The Manhattans. He had 2 openers each time I saw him, which was 3 times and these were always his openers each time. Great concert all 3 times!

Answer 6

I have seen him twice, mid and late 90s. He did the same show both times so that was a little disappointing. He was good though.

The first time the Muddy Waters Tribute Band opened for him and the next time it was a big show, J Geils and Magic Dick w/Elvin Bishop, Etta James, Jimmy Vaughn and then BB. IT was a great show.

Answer 7

I saw him in November this past year. He had some young guy from Seattle doing acoustic folk music, much along the lines of an Amos Lee type.

B.B. played really well that night and alot. He has come accustom to storytelling in these last few years. He really was kinda quiet the entire night and played through a 3 hour set all the way with no break. I was a kid in a candy store. It was a Christmas present from my soon-to-be wife.

Answer 8

I've seen him twice. The first time was following an Indianapolis Pacers game. The secong time was the 1990 Alligator All Stars tour. Koko Taylor and Buddy Guy warmed up for him. Both were great shows.

Answer 9

I saw BB at the Santa Cruz Blues fest last year
opening acts were
Might Mike Schermer
Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers
Coco Montoya
Roomful of Blues

As you can imagine it was quite the day!

Answer 10

I have seen him twice in the last 2 years. Once at Foxwoods casino, another time in central Maine. Took my 8 year old to one of them. He's a big fan of the Bluesboss. I don't think the show changes much anymore, but it was great both times. Worth seeing at least once if you never have. I don't remember who opened for him at Foxwoods, but the other show was opened by the James Montgomery Blues Band. Outstanding harp playing!