B.B. King & Eric Clapton

B.B. King and Eric Clapton first connected in the 1960s when Clapton, then emerging in the British blues scene, sought out King's guidance. Their collaboration spanned decades, resulting in albums like 'Together on Stage' in 1979 and 'Riding with the King' in 2000.

Their partnership worked despite differences in age and background, rooted in a shared respect for blues music. King had navigated the segregated American music industry as a black musician, while Clapton was a young white guitarist learning the blues circuit. They recorded songs like 'The Thrill is gone' and 'Rock Me Baby' together, blending King's deep blues phrasing with Clapton's rock-influenced guitar work.

B.B. King died in 2015 at age 89. Eric Clapton has continued performing and recording since then, maintaining the blues tradition they both helped shape through their work together.