B.B. King Heckled At Performance.

[gjbassist]

I understand where you're coming from. But from the perspective of B.B.'s management, they have more of a responsibility to the wishes of their client than they do to the audience. Oh, and they're also in it to make money for themselves. This is the music BUSINESS after all.



If the audiences start diminishing? If people start walking out? Then perhaps I could see B.B.'s manager having a heart to heart with him about his future.

According to the article in my OP, people did walk out! I find it hard to believe that BB is clueless to the fact that many people are dissatisfied with his shows. If he is going to continue to perform live maybe someone needs to rebrand his show as a story tellers style show and let people know up front what to expect.

 

[RED J]

I guess some people just have a love for the legend, the person, the founding father status. I have been a B.B. fan forever, but I wouldn't pay that kind of coin to see him dodder through mostly dialogue. But that's just me. No excuse for heckling.
On you tube there are videos of Les Paul at the Iridium Jazz Club older than B.B. Crippled with arthritis, flubs notes like crazy, and more an entertainer than a guitar player. They opened the Club on their closed night to have him though, and top musicians were lining up to get on stage with him, and the place was apparently packed.
Being a foundation stone who gave birth to a whole culture we as musicians or fans have all inherited earns a lot of license and love. Let it be, and make your choice whether to show up or not.

 

[hover]

The audience will "speak" with their dollars, but it's up to the artist, and the artist alone to determine when it's time to "ride off into the sunset".

Dude is a legend. You wanna hang with the guy that's into sharing his time and energies at his age with you? He's willing to do it. Regardless of whether the show is more talk than music, the guy is obviously at an introspective time in his life. He's either in the mood to share or impart what is his brand of "widsom" or whatever upon those that care to listen. Call his show a hybrid / music / speaking act at this point. Heck, people paid good money to see Rollins blather on for 2 hours, which I thought crazy, and I like Rollins and think he's a smart dude. So why not here? If you're into it, and want to shell out the coin, perfect. If not, then don't go. But to the people who were "heckling" him, show some goddamn respect. If I were there and heard the entitlement filled bemoaning of those a-holes in the audience I would have throttled them.

Ultimately there's ego in every artist who puts themself out there like they do and for so long. What of it?

 

[JimmyThunder]

I saw BB with Buddy Guy back in the 90s. I knew going in that they were both past their prime but I figured I wouldn't get many more chances to see them. Buddy KILLED it. BB was pretty disappointing. I didn't regret paying for the ticket, I got what I expected. I see a fair amount of concerts by acts well past their prime, if you have love for music from awhiles back you take what you can get.

But there's a big difference between a legendary group that has slowed down and can't quite hit the high notes anymore vs a shambling mess that clearly isn't delivering a product anywhere near professional quality. Yes the man is deserving of great respect, but by selling tickets in a music venue and promoting it as a music show he's writing checks he can't cash. Artists have a responsibility to deliver art to a paying customer. No matter how legendary you are, you don't get to promise art but only deliver a "thank you for coming".

I agree, call it a speaking tour, make it look like VH1 "Storytellers", to package it as a music show is disingenuous. However the promoters know they won't sell nearly as many "speaking tour" tickets.

 

[mellowinman]

Heckling BB King is akin to clubbing baby seals. You'd have to be one lowlife scum-sucker to do a thing like that.

If you went to the show, expecting vim and vigor, it's sad you know so little about how life works.

 

[Timmah]

When I saw this, I can't say I was entirely surprised. BB has been plagued by health problems (mostly weight, IIRC) for years now, and he's getting close to 90 years old. Most 90 year olds I've known need a wheelchair, or at least one of those Lark scooters. Now take that and put it on the road for a month or so at a time- late hours, travel stress, etc- and you expect BB to put on a show like he did in the 70s? I think that these fans let their excitement get the better of them, and didn't think through just what the show would be like. As painful as it is to say, I think that BB should admit The Thrill is Gone, and retire from touring.

 

[Big Band Hand]

Ever since the 80's, when lots of jazz icons were aging and still touring, I have used a simple yardstick to gauge whether or not I should go see them. Are they good enough to be in the band that is backing them?

I have great respect for any musician who has performed so well for so long. Yes, give them their due, enjoy what they have given to the musicial community, and respect their musicianship, and do not heckle the crap out of them.

This thread reminds me of the great principle trumpet player for the Chicago Symphony, Adolph Herseth, who held that chair for 53 years and retired at age 80. If he could not cut the mustard in ANY piece that the group played, he would be "retired" by the powers that be. I know there is a difference in culture between pop and classical, but is there a difference in the term "practicing professional musician?"

Feelings seem to run deep on this subject but me thinks that Mr. King would want his audiences to be entertained, to leave the venue feeling truly moved by his performance and to feel that they have spent their time and money wisely. Who ever is pulling the strings on managing the tour should be blamed for what is happening, not Mr. King. But honestly, to pay $200 to hear 3-4 songs is a bit unrealistic no matter who is playing it. Even Horowitz or Richter did not charge $600 an hour for their recitals.

 

[BurningSkies]

I donno.
The industry is rife with stories of 'financial managers' ripping off artists for millions.

Go look at why Leonard Cohen did a world tour at 75 !
( And based on the DVD - it was great... )

For that matter, BB King was great at 75 - but that was 15 years ago...

I had my expectations in check, and unfortunately, even my diminished expectations were not met.

I'm glad we went. I'm not sure I'm $200 glad.

It was. My wife got us tickets to see this tour at the Wang Theater in Boston as a birthday gift to me. He had an amazing band (including long time band director Roscoe Beck) and he was on stage performing for about 3 HOURS. Every song you could want, he did and more.

And he's toured a bunch since it came to light that his manager robbed him blind. Even he jokes about it as the 'see Leonard before he dies' tour.

 

[jongor]

Agreed.

Heckling BB King is akin to clubbing baby seals. You'd have to be one lowlife scum-sucker to do a thing like that.

 

[TimboZ]

Saw him back in June. I was a bit disappointed after the show. Then I thought about for a while and and realized I just saw a LEGEND.

 

[Jim Campbell]

Heckling BB King is akin to clubbing baby seals. You'd have to be one lowlife scum-sucker to do a thing like that.

If you went to the show, expecting vim and vigor, it's sad you know so little about how life works.

well i'm not sure about that....he's rich,and traveling around charging top dollar.... if he was* doing a benefit, that would be more palatable.....i doubt i'd heckle,but i'd probably be in the lobby demanding a refund.....when guys who have millions start gouging the people who made them rich they are no longer legendary.....just greedy....

you have to club a lot of baby seals to earn 200 bucks....plus risk your neck on an arctic ice floe...

 

[Thumpinshelton]

Just talked to a friend of mine who went to the show in Lexington, KY last night and unfortunately he said the show was not very good at all. He said BB would forget the words and just not be in rhythm with the band. He did mention that BB King made reference to the negative reviews and things that have been said over the past few days. BB King asked the crowd to be patient with him and that he was old and just was not feeling well, but he would do the best he could.

This man is a legend, but like I said before. It is time to hang up the road and limit the shows he does. That does not however give ANYONE the right to disrespect the man by heckling or being rude.

 

[buldog5151bass]

For the most part, I agree. I would not do either. However, when he knows that he cannot put on even a decent show, he does not have the right to continue to charge for tickets - obviously this in not a one time thing. He should suspend touring until he knows whether or not he can still do it, or just guest on other shows and get up and do a number.

 

[sevdog]

Heckling BB King is akin to clubbing baby seals. You'd have to be one lowlife scum-sucker to do a thing like that.

If you went to the show, expecting vim and vigor, it's sad you know so little about how life works.

Exactly

Whatever BB is now, I don't think I would choose to heckle that man.

Because you're not an ass.

I think if I was in the audience I would have a hard time containing myself from raging out on the losers in the audience....I have little patience for that kind of disrespect.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Again, I agree - but if he knows he can no longer play, he is showing disrespect to the audience.

 

[sevdog]

Again, I agree - but if he knows he can no longer play, he is showing disrespect to the audience.

Is your grandmother disrespecting you when she plops down a plate of mush that slightly resembles her once famous meatloaf? No. You politely say things like "Thanks" and "MMM" and eat as little a possible. You don't tell her that it sucks and that she needs to quit cooking.

 

[Steve]

funny, someone wants to spend $200 on a bass and they will research for days, make about a half dozen posts looking for anything at all more to learn....just agonize over it.

The BB situation is neither new or unknown.

That guy has given me $200+ enjoyment over the years and I guarantee you I have made more than $200 playing The Thrill is Gone $1 at a time in the tip jar.

 

[Milk]

Is your grandmother disrespecting you when she plops down a plate of mush that slightly resembles her once famous meatloaf? No. You politely say things like "Thanks" and "MMM" and eat as little a possible. You don't tell her that it sucks and that she needs to quit cooking.

Thankfully neither of my grandmas ever reached that sorry level.

the difference here though is that you don't give your grandma 200$ for the meatloaf.

No I don't think you should heckle, but you definitely have the right to be very disappointed. Like some people mentioned, i'd blame the people in charge of the tour more than BB King. But this shouldn't be happening.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Grandma isn't charging me to eat there. If Grandma had a restaurant for her "famous meatloaf", I would politely tell her it is time shutter the doors.

Respect goes both ways. Many people are spending hard-earned money expecting something for their money.

 

[Jim Campbell]

For the most part, I agree. I would not do either. However, when he knows that he cannot put on even a decent show, he does not have the right to continue to charge for tickets - obviously this in not a one time thing. He should suspend touring until he knows whether or not he can still do it, or just guest on other shows and get up and do a number.

that would make sense,except for someone greedily trying to cash in....i think a lot of these old guys would do well to consider the "special guest appearance" ....and do a song or two....i can't think of too many "legends" i'd pay 200 bucks to see fumble through an entire evening... maybe joplin or hendrix,but they ain't available on the nostalgia circuit....