MEMPHIS, Tenn. — “I’m gonna love you, like nobody’s loved you, come rain or shine,” words sung by the King of Blues himself.
Today thousands didn’t let a few rain drops keep them from saying their farewells.
B.B. King fans flooded Beale Street to show the world how much King and his music meant to this city.
“This great music of course. I think it kind of united the races. Blacks and White. Blues kind of crosses all the racial lines,” said Memphian Norris Alexander.
King used his music to bring people together.
Today he brought them together again as a parade of musicians lead his hearse down the street where Riley “Beale Street Blues Boy” King got his start.
He began as a radio D.J. in Memphis on WDIA then became a performer.
“BB was the blues. When you think of the Blues he was right there,” said Russ Vaiden of Memphis.
The day was so special, Mary Springfield came all the way from Detroit.
She grew up on B.B.’s music.
“It’s the feeling. It’s not about sadness. It’s just a good feeling that the music gives. When I was coming down listening to the ‘Thrill is Gone’ I had to catch myself down Highway 75 doing 90,” laughed Springfied.
King gave some a special feeling while giving fellow musicians a chance to perform with him.
He helped jump start many careers.
Blues great Bobby Rush said he was forever grateful.
He walked beside the hearse carrying his friend.
“B.B. thanks a lot for what you’ve done for me because he paved the way for all of us to be who we are and do what we do,” said Rush.
Ruby Wilson dubbed the “Queen of Beale” also walked beside the hearse.
Wilson, who suffered several strokes, used a walker and said King supported her in sickness and health.
“I really loved that man. I really did. I called him Mr. King and I meant that,” said Wilson.