BB King's Age - A Look At His Years
When we consider the life of a true music giant, a common thought that comes to mind often revolves around their time here with us. So, just how old was BB King when he graced this world with his presence and, ultimately, when he departed? This question, a simple inquiry about a person's years, really opens up a chance to think about the span of a remarkable life, you know, one that left a huge mark.
The blues legend, a person whose music touched so many hearts, had a journey that began in the heart of Mississippi, and it continued for a considerable number of years. We're going to talk a bit about the specifics of his birth and the day he passed away, giving a clear picture of his time on Earth, actually, making it quite plain.
This exploration will help us appreciate the duration of his life, providing the plain facts about his age, which, you know, can sometimes be a bit of a mystery without the right details. We’ll look at the exact dates that mark the beginning and the end of his time, giving a full answer to the question of how old BB King was.
- The Early Years of BB King
- Personal Information - How Old BB King Was
- When Did BB King Enter the World?
- What Was BB King's Family Background?
- The Naming of BB King - How Old BB King Was When Named
- When Did BB King Leave Us?
- What Caused the Passing of BB King?
- A Recap of BB King's Lifespan
The Early Years of BB King
The life story of BB King, a person known for his deep connection to the blues, began in a specific place at a specific time. He came into the world as Riley B. King, a name that carried family history and, you know, would eventually become known across the globe. His beginnings were rooted in a particular part of the American South, a place that shaped many lives during that period, and in some respects, his very sound.
Born in Itta Bena, Mississippi, on a crisp autumn day, the environment around him was, for the most part, rural and deeply connected to the land. This small community, tucked away in the state of Mississippi, served as the initial setting for his long existence. The year he arrived, 1925, was a time of significant change and also, you know, a period where life for many was quite challenging, especially in agricultural regions.
The particular date of his birth, September 16, 1925, marks the start of a lifespan that would stretch across many decades, seeing him through numerous historical moments and shifts in the world. It’s a point in time that gives us a clear answer to the first part of the question about how old BB King was, right at the very beginning.
Personal Information - How Old BB King Was
To truly get a handle on how old BB King was, it helps to look at some of the basic facts about his life, putting them into a simple, easy-to-read format. This kind of overview gives us a quick snapshot of his time here, from when he first appeared to when he moved on. It’s a straightforward way to grasp the duration of his life, basically, the whole span.
Here are some key details that help paint a picture of his years:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Birth Name | Riley B. King |
| Date of Birth | September 16, 1925 |
| Place of Birth | Itta Bena, Mississippi |
| Date of Passing | May 14, 2015 |
| Place of Passing | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Age at Passing | 89 years old |
| Parents' Names | Nora Ella King and Albert L. King |
| Primary Cause of Passing | Complications from Type 2 Diabetes, Alzheimer's Disease |
This table, you know, pretty much sums up the main points regarding his time here, giving a clear answer to how old BB King was when his journey came to an end. It offers a quick reference for anyone wondering about the specifics of his lifespan, making it quite simple to understand.
When Did BB King Enter the World?
The moment BB King first opened his eyes to the world happened on September 16, 1925. This date is a fixed point in time, marking the start of a life that would become legendary. It was a time when the world was quite different, a period before many of the conveniences we know today, and in some respects, a simpler era.
His arrival took place in Itta Bena, Mississippi, a setting that, you know, really speaks to the roots of American music. This particular location in the Mississippi Delta was, as a matter of fact, a crucible for the blues, shaping the sounds and stories of many who lived there. The conditions of the time meant that life was often challenging, especially for families working the land.
So, the answer to when BB King entered the world is quite specific: a mid-September day in the year 1925. This beginning point helps us calculate exactly how old BB King became, setting the foundation for understanding his entire lifespan, right?
What Was BB King's Family Background?
The people who brought Riley B. King into the world were Nora Ella King and Albert L. King. Their lives, like many others in that part of the country during that period, were tied to the earth. They were sharecroppers, a way of life that involved working on a cotton plantation, which, you know, was a common arrangement for many families trying to make a living.
Being sharecroppers meant they farmed land that belonged to someone else, giving a portion of their harvest as rent. This system, while providing a place to live and work, often meant a life of hard physical effort and, you know, not much financial gain. It was a demanding existence, characterized by long hours in the fields, especially when tending to cotton crops.
Their daily lives on the cotton plantation shaped the environment in which the young Riley grew up. This background, filled with the realities of rural life and agricultural labor, was a fundamental part of his early years. It gives us a sense of the circumstances surrounding the person who would become BB King, and, in a way, the challenges he overcame, you know, from the very beginning.
The Naming of BB King - How Old BB King Was When Named
The name given to him at birth, Riley B. King, carried a special meaning within his family. He was, as a matter of fact, named to honor his father's brother, a man also called Riley. This uncle, sadly, had disappeared when Albert, BB King's father, was just a boy himself, which, you know, must have been a tough thing for the family.
The act of naming a child after a lost family member is a way of keeping their memory alive, a common practice in many cultures. So, from the very start of his life, the young Riley carried this connection to a past family event, a bit of history embedded in his own name. He was, of course, named at birth, just like any baby, so he was zero years old when this significant decision was made.
This detail about his name, while not directly telling us how old BB King was at any given moment, does add a layer to his personal story. It shows the family ties and the sense of remembrance that were part of his beginnings. It’s a small but meaningful piece of information about the person behind the legendary music, you know, the very first part of his identity.
When Did BB King Leave Us?
The time came for BB King to leave this world on May 14, 2015. This date marks the end of his long and impactful journey. He passed away at his home in Las Vegas, a city far from his Mississippi beginnings, which, you know, shows how much his life had changed and expanded over the years.
When he passed, he had lived for a considerable period, reaching the age of 89. To be honest, living to 89 is quite a long stretch of time, allowing for many experiences and a truly full life. The span from his birth in 1925 to his passing in 2015 covers nearly a century, witnessing immense changes in the world and, of course, in music itself.
So, to answer the question of how old BB King was when he passed away, the clear number is 89 years. This age represents a life lived to its fullest, filled with moments that touched countless people. It’s a significant number that speaks to the length of his time among us, pretty much the entire story.
What Caused the Passing of BB King?
The passing of BB King, though a sad event for many, happened due to natural causes, as confirmed by official reports. Specifically, his death was attributed to complications arising from type 2 diabetes, a health condition he had lived with for a long time. This particular illness can, over many years, lead to various difficulties for the body, which, you know, can eventually become quite serious.
Additionally, Alzheimer's disease was also a factor in his passing. This condition affects the brain, causing issues with memory and thinking over time. The combination of these health challenges, as a matter of fact, led to his body gradually giving out. The Las Vegas coroner's office made this information public, providing clarity on the circumstances of his departure.
So, while the end of his life was a sad moment, it was, in essence, a result of his body's natural decline due to these long-term health issues. It's important to understand that his passing was a culmination of these conditions, which, you know, often affect people as they get older, especially when considering how old BB King was at the time.
A Recap of BB King's Lifespan
To put it simply, BB King, born Riley B. King, began his life on September 16, 1925, in Itta Bena, Mississippi. His parents, Nora Ella and Albert L. King, were sharecroppers, working on a cotton plantation, which, you know, was a tough way to live. He was named after his father's brother, Riley, who had disappeared when his father was a boy, a rather poignant detail.
His long and impactful life came to an end on May 14, 2015, when he was 89 years old. The cause of his passing was related to natural reasons, primarily complications from type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. These details, straight from official sources, give us a clear picture of his time here. So, basically, his life spanned from the mid-1920s to the mid-2010s.
This means that when we ask how old BB King was, the answer is a full 89 years, a long and significant period during which he left an incredible mark on the world of music and beyond. It’s a story of a life lived for many decades, seeing many changes, and, you know, leaving behind a truly lasting legacy.
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