蜜芽传媒

Blues singer BB King talks to Paul Gambaccini about recording his classic live blues album in Chicago in 1964, Live At The Regal.

An episode of the award-winning series re-visiting the occasions on which a classic live album was recorded. Paul hears from those who were there, on-stage, backstage and in the audience, to re-create the event for all of us who, each time we play the album, think: 'If only I could have been there'.

On 21st November 1964 what's been hailed as one of the greatest blues albums of all time was recorded at Chicago's premier black theatre. It's claimed that musicians from Eric Clapton to John Mayer still play it for inspiration before they go on stage.

If BB's studio sessions were electric, it was on stage that he really came into his own. Yet, at a time when live albums were becoming the thing, BB had yet to record one. Enter Johnny Pate, A&R man for ABC Paramount, the label that had recently signed Riley B King.

On the night, Chicago DJs Pervis Spann and E Rodney Jones introduced the sets and the enthusiastic audience erupted as BB and his band treated them to a classic performance.

Paul Gambaccini listens to memories of that never-to-be-forgotten night from BB King himself and from the sole surviving member of his band, Duke Jethro.
Jethro's usual instrument, the Hammond B3 Organ, was in the repair shop so he had to play, for the first time in his life, a piano. Yet his tinkling riffs are one of the album's major charms.

Paul also hears from:

* Album producer - Johnny Pate
* WVON DJ - Pervis Spann
* Arthur Gathings - who was in the audience.

Producer: Marya Burgess

First broadcast on 蜜芽传媒 Radio 4 in March 2011.