The blues guitarist Ritchie Blackmore considers the best he ever heard

Ritchie Blackmore helped shape hard rock with Deep Purple and Rainbow, but his musical roots have always been deeply tied to the blues. Over the years, the guitarist cited several masters of the genre as inspiration, but one of them occupied a special place above all others. That musician was B.B. King. According to Blackmore, no one has managed to combine technique, emotion and musical identity in the same way as the legendary American bluesman. The guitarist always highlighted B.B. King's ability to convey intense feelings using few notes, something he considered much more difficult than displaying speed or virtuosity. Known for his inseparable Lucille guitar, B.B. King built a career that spanned more than six decades. Songs like "The Thrill Is Gone", "Every Day I Have the Blues" and "Sweet Little Angel" helped transform him into an absolute blues reference. Blackmore especially admired King's phrasing, which managed to create memorable melodies without resorting to overly complex techniques. For him, this simplicity was precisely what made the musician so extraordinary. B.B. King's influence can be seen in practically all the great guitarists who emerged after the 1950s, including names in blues, rock and even heavy metal.