By Steven Longenecker
Staff Reporter
Publication Date: 11/06/06
A varied, excited crowd awaited the performance of B.B. King Sunday night.
It seemed as if most of the audience knew each other, as Elliott Hall was filled with conversation before the show began.
A student couple holding hands joined in conversation with a man wearing a motorcycle jacket talking animatedly to a suit-clad gentleman as they all found their seats next to one another.
At 81, the singer-guitarist has had nearly four decades to bring together a diverse group of fans.
"I'm so happy to be back. I know the last time I was here a lot of you all weren't even born," said King.
Janet Wagner, an avid fan of the legend, drove from Osgood, Ind., to see the show. "I loved it, his voice hasn't lost anything. It was everything I was hoping for and much more," she said.
Indeed King appeared to still be in love with the blues Sunday night in Elliott Hall, dancing to the rhythm even while sitting in his chair on stage.
Age and condition have required King to sit down at his shows on recent tours, but his playing is still as distinct and rousing as ever.
His age has only given him another topic to joke about, and he kept the audience involved throughout the show, playing songs to sing along with and dedicating many of his classic songs to different parts of the audience. King even obtained the permission from the women in the hall before he played "Ain't That Just Like a Woman."
King showed his appreciation for the opening band, Ronnie Baker Brooks, and brought Brooks on stage at the end of the show for another round of applause.
"We are opening up for the King," said Brooks, "and he'd whoop my tail if I let you get away with (not singing)." The band had some initial problems with sound, but recovered and did an impressive job performing. Brooks brought out the influential Jellybean Johnson to play, and together they ended the opening with a medley of blues, boogie, rock, and other genres.
"I'll tell you one thing though, I'm happy to be alive," said King. He joked about the benefits of being older, the virtues of women, and numerous sexual innuendoes as he played the music that made him legendary.
"You keep sounding good, and I'll keep trying."