BB King, 'King of the Blues' legend, dies aged 89

BB King has died at the age of 89.

King, often referred to as 'King of the Blues', died in his sleep in Las Vegas after suffering from ill health in recent months.

The guitarist began performing in the 1940s and became known for his hits My Lucille, Sweet Little Angel.

In 1989 he scored on a Top 10 hit on the Official Singles Chart with his U2 duet When Love Comes To Town, and entered the album chart Top 20 in 2000 with his collaborative record with Eric Clapton Riding With The King.  

Fellow musicians have paid tribute to King, including Lenny Kravitz, who tweeted: "BB, anyone could play a thousand notes and never say what you said in one."

Former Beatle Ringo Starr said: "God bless BB King, peace and love to his family."

King, who was inducted into both the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, was named by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time, behind only Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman. 

Watch BB King's live performance of The Thrill Is Gone below: 

Photo Owen Sweeney/Rex