The life of Riley / a Jon Brewer film ; produced and directed by Jon Brewer.

Format:

• Video

Contributor:

• Brewer, Jon, director, producer.
• Freeman, Morgan, narrator.
• Qwest TV, publisher.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

• Blues musicians--United States--Biography.
• Guitarists--United States--Biography.
• African American guitarists--Biography.
• King, B. B.

Genre:

• Documentary films.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (119 minutes)

Other Title:

B.B. King : the life of Riley

Place of Publication:

Paris, France : Qwest TV, 2012.

Language Note:

In English.

System Details:

video file

Summary:

This is a supreme full-length film honoring blues guitarist B.B. King, the American icon who influenced dozens of rock artists with his signature electric six-string sound on his guitar nicknamed Lucille. In addition to archival video of B.B.'s dynamic performances and intimate interviews, the 2012 Life of Riley features multiple affirmations with stars such as Aaron Neville who said, "When you say the blues, you got to say B.B." and Carlos Santana who called him "a grand, majestic spirit." The fully developed two hours of film celebrate B.B., who was born in 1925 as Riley B. King, the son of cotton sharecroppers on a plantation in Indianola, Mississippi. He grew up in the hate-filled days of white-fueled oppression (i.e. the Klu Klux Klan cross burnings). As such, B.B.'s life story is a tale of survival. As B.B.'s star rose, he came into contact with the Rolling Stones who championed his music and invited him to open their 1969 tour that introduced him to stadium-sized crowds. There's also great footage of U2's invite to collaborate with B.B., including the hit tune "When Love Comes to Town" (in rehearsals B.B. tells Bono that he doesn't need chords to play it because he's "horrible with chords"). The film also chronicles B.B.'s pairing with Eric Clapton for their hit album Riding With the King. From the beginning to end, B.B. story Life of Riley--the title referencing the '40s radio comedy show and '50s TV situation comedy The Life of Riley--the guitarist is rightfully heralded as an American master of music. The film was first released as a full-length documentary in 2012, three years before B.B. died in 2015 at the age of 89 as a result of type 2 diabetes.--Dan Ouelette.

Participant:

Narrated by Morgan Freeman.

Notes:

Title from title screen (viewed July 03, 2025).

OCLC:

1531301388