In this early photograph of BB King from the Center for Southern Folklore  archives, BB or Riley B. King could only dream of someday being known as the King of The Blues. Born on September 16, 1925, on a plantation in Itta Bena, Mississippi, near  Indianola, King learned his early craft there until he arrived in Memphis as a 20 year old. Instrumental in his early stylings was cousin Bukka White.
 
He continued his musical education with his own radio show on WDIA in Memphis – a stint which helped prepare him for tours in Washington, DC, . Chicago, Detroit and St. Louis, along with venues down south. King’s reputation would soon grow to be one of the most important names in rhythm & blues. He always returned to Memphis - the Home of The Blues, though, where it all began.