After news broke Thursday night that iconic blues musician B.B. King died peacefully in his sleep, countless fans took to social media to pay tribute.
Artists like Lenny Kravitz and Snoop Dogg posted tributes to 89-year-old guitarist, while others including “Tomorrowland” star Hugh Laurie — who played the guitar-loving Dr. Gregory House on Fox’s “House” — and fellow musical luminary Gladys Knight chimed in with their own thoughts, as well.
Morgan Freeman, who narrated documentary “B.B. King: The Life of Riley,” went as far as to say King’s death was such a loss to humanity that it “created a hole in the universe.”
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, King was born in Mississippi in 1925. He was ranked No. 6 on Rolling Stone magazine’s 2011 list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time after gifting the world with hits “Everyday I Have the Blues,” “The Thrill Is Gone” and “Sweet 16.”
Read the reactions from artists of all kinds that loved “The King of Blues” below:
BB, anyone could play a thousand notes and never say what you said in one. #RIP #BBKing pic.twitter.com/YvZYH8hyJE
— Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) May 15, 2015
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B.B. King, forever and always. Truly, truly saddened – this man has been the soundtrack to my life for a long time. https://t.co/F0gN5v0OTc
– Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) May 15, 2015
“The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you” – RIP B.B. King (9/16/25 – 5/14/15) – Orlando Jones (@TheOrlandoJones) May 15, 2015
Rest with the angels, BB King. #RIP
– Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) May 15, 2015
RIP BB KING,never be another. – Tyson Beckford (@TysonCBeckford) May 15, 2015
Oh God. BB King. Let the sad times roll.
— Hugh Laurie (@hughlaurie) May 15, 2015
What a brilliant man you were. One who will forever be noted as such an inspiration to millions globally, RIP #BBKing http://t.co/9G8NEYTmBT — Gladys Knight (@MsGladysKnight) May 15, 2015
Play a BB King song today & remember him! RIP Mr King & thanks for all the Great Music!!
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) May 15, 2015
God bless BB King peace and love to his family Ringo and Barbarax
– Ringo Starr (@ringostarrmusic) May 15, 2015
When I heard B.B. King for the first time he was singing The Thrill Is Gone. The way he played & sang brought tears to my eyes. #RIPBBKing
– Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) May 15, 2015
Just read the news about BB King. Very very sad. His music will live on forever. #RIPBBKing
– Phillip Phillips (@Phillips) May 15, 2015
RIP #BBKing… One of the true greats. pic.twitter.com/S4M7XsycLU
– The Band Perry (@thebandperry) May 15, 2015
From the source. One of the originators. Fading breed. RIP #BBKing.
– Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) May 15, 2015
