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SCMP Reporter

LIFE began humbly for Riley B. King on a Mississippi cotton plantation almost 70 years ago. The throb of the big city beckoned and young Riley packed his guitar, hitched a ride to Memphis, and soon earned the nickname Beale Street Blues Boy.

  It was affectionately abbreviated to B.B. - B.B. King, today a legendary figure in the world of blues, who is heading for Hong Kong.

  Memphis gave B.B. King his big break in 1948 with a radio show performance. Decades later he set up his own blues club in the city and that was where I caught up with the Gentleman of the Blues recently by telephone.

  He had just returned from a rehearsal for a performance later that night at his own club and he was feeling good.

  ''Having my own club was something I always liked the idea of. Memphis is where I started out as an artist and I thought it would be nice to have my own club here.

  ''In fact, it has been so successful, I'm going to open one in Hollywood.''   But it is his Memphis club which has the special memories.

  ''When I came to Memphis, it was almost like another world, like coming from a small town to a big city. It's good to be back after 43 years.''   Since those days, B.B. King has more than made up for being a small town boy - he's toured the world often and while he has visited Hong Kong a number of times, this will be his first time playing here.

  He's doing just one night at the Ko Shan Theatre on Monday May 16. He'll also be making an appearance at Tower Records between 2.30 and 3.30 the same day.

  ''I've been to Hong Kong as a tourist, more than once in fact, and liked it very much. I'm looking forward to playing there this time,'' said B.B. King.

  Hong Kong is part of the Asian leg of his latest world tour. He'll be performing in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore, Korea, Japan, Taiwan and even Beijing where he will open the Hard Rock Cafe.

  Since playing on street corners for dimes, B.B. King has spent the majority of his life performing and being on the road.

  ''I love to play and I have a band - some of the guys have been with me for 16 years and some of them have families. In order to keep the band together, I have to keep them working and in order to be be able to go places, we have to work.

  ''If you ask me do I have to work, the answer is no. There was a time when I had to do it, but now it's because I love to do it - I get to pay my bills and it's a chance to go places.

  ''Coming to Hong Kong will be a chance to make new friends and maybe come back again . . . see, I'm looking ahead already,'' he laughed.

  While B.B. King has spent an incredible amount of time on the road - he has played an average of 300 concerts a year since the 50s - he has also recorded more than 50 albums and collaborated with a string of fellow musicians.

  ''There has never been anyone that I have worked with that I haven't learnt something from and blues has changed quite a bit, young people have a whole different concept of playing and I think that's good, I think that's healthy. It has certainly affected me and I've learnt from it. And the older you get, the more you learn.''   He has influenced some of the big names of rock including Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Jimi Hendrix.

  He has been honoured with five Grammys, including a Lifetime Achievement Award three times over. His hit records date back to the beginning of the 50s and stretch through the decades. Is there anything left to achieve?   ''I've been in many movies, but always like a cameo appearance. I'd like to have a featured part in a movie, or a weekly sit-com. I'd like that.

  ''I'd like to have a chance to say more than my name and introduce my guitar.''   How is Lucille, I ask.

  ''Lucille is great. This one I've not had too long, about four years.'' This is Lucille number 16, but she's broken in, he assures. ''I've given away a couple, many have been busted in automobile accidents and many have been stolen.''   At 68 years old, B.B. King says the only time he remembers his age is when he walks up a hill - being around young and young-minded people keeps him young at heart.

  He can see himself slowing down, as early as next year in fact, but stopping altogether?   ''Only when the good Lord says it's time.''   B.B. King performs at the Ko Shan Theatre, Monday May 16. Tickets available through URBTIX or call the Entertainment Company ticket hotline on 541 3633.



Why B.B. keeps singing the blues