Memphis Plans Final Salute to B.B. King

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May 20, 2015
Processional for the King of Blues to be held on Beale Street

Memphis, TN - The City of Memphis will host Tribute: B.B. King to honor the life and legacy of Riley B. King on Wednesday, May 27. The tribute will take place on Beale Street and include a processional for the King of the Blues on the street that contributed to his nickname, Beale Street Blues Boy. Residents and visitors are encouraged to attend and wear blue to show their love and admiration for B.B.’s legacy.

The processional will begin at 12:45 p.m. at Beale Street and Second Street, making its way down Beale Street, then turning right onto B.B. King Blues Highway (Third Street/Highway 61). After the processional, B.B. King’s body will be driven to his hometown of Indianola, MS for his funeral. 

“The fact that Beale Street Blues Boy is the origin of the nickname B.B. is the type of authentic connection that will never die,” said Mayor A C Wharton, Jr. “B.B. King and Memphis had a long-time love affair, so it’s only fitting that the city mark his life on Beale Street.” 

Tribute: B.B. King will be Wednesday, May 27 on Beale Street. It includes:

Memphis Musical Tribute to the Beale Street Blues Boy, B.B. King
W.C. Handy Park
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Processional for the King of the Blues, B.B. King
Begins at Beale Street and Second Street; right turn onto B.B. King Blues Highway (Third Street/Highway 61)
12:45 p.m.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to attend and wear blue to show their support.

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Contact:
Jonathan Lyons, Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau
jonathanlyons@memphistravel.com, 901-543-3519