If you want to be a good blues singer, people are going to be down on you, so dress like you're going to the bank to borrow money.
B. B. KingRead
Michael Bloomfield came in after rock n roll started, and he was a great guitarist. He idolized me - I know that. What else can I say ? he was a young, excitable man. To him, drugs were plentiful, and that was no good. I talked to him like he was a son of mine. He was a great and he was gonna be greater. But he was part of the "in-crowd" and so he never got there
Interpretation
What this quote means
B. B. King reflects on the promising talent of Michael Bloomfield and the negative influence of drugs on his potential.
In this quote, B. B. King expresses his admiration for the young guitarist Michael Bloomfield, recognizing his talent and potential for greatness. However, he also acknowledges the detrimental impact of drugs on Bloomfield's career, highlighting the struggles that artists face in navigating their gifts amid the temptations that come with fame and acceptance in the music industry. King's paternal tone emphasizes not only his respect for Bloomfield but also a sense of loss for what might have been had the young guitarist made different choices.
Themes
MusicTalentDrugsPotentialInfluence
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on the impact of drugs on musicians, this quote can serve as a poignant reminder of lost potential.
More from B. B. King
All quotes →The way I feel today, as long as my health is good and I can handle myself well and people still come to my concerts, still buy my CDs, I'll keep playing until I feel like I can't.
B. B. KingRead
Everything I record, I just try to sound like me and come up with songs that suit what I do and then just go for it. I never know what the public's going to like, anyway.
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A guitar is like an old friend that is there with me.
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I have not been a good father, but no father has loved his children more. Like my father, I decided the best thing I could do for my kids was work and provide. Fortunately, I've been able to do that. Unfortunately, my work was on the road, and that's meant a life of one-nighters.
B. B. KingRead
People all over the world have problems. And as long as people have problems, the blues can never die.
B. B. KingRead
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