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      BB King: The Life of Riley

      2012 2 hr. 3 min. Documentary Biography List
      86% 7 Reviews Tomatometer 86% 250+ Ratings Audience Score The life and music of BB King. Read More Read Less Watch on Peacock Stream Now

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      BB King: The Life of Riley

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      Audience Reviews

      View All (8) audience reviews
      jwcdood BB KING: THE LIFE OF RILEY does the extraordinary blues legend and authentic guitar innovator real, honest to God justice; any negative reviews about this wonderful documentary are from pedantic, elitist critics regarding cinematic concerns that have nothing to do with content and who are completely devoid of concern for such a wonderful, hats off tribute to the guy who, practically single handedly, defined, refined and sophisticated Chicago Blues to the standards of what the blues genre has become recognized as today: practically the mainstay substratum of every other American musical genre — Country styles and Blues styles being primarily on which "side of the tracks" the music was being played. BB King's vocals, guitar technique and sound ARE what the blues is known to be today (right down to the music gear he used), and this documentary excellently explains and demonstrates why. Thank God that BB King lived to see its premier and public release. "It's only by the Grace of God, that I am where I am today." BB KING (slightly paraphrased). God certainly did bless — the King of the Blues: Riley B. — B.B. — KING...! ✨🎶🎸🎶👑🎶🎸🎶✨ Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/28/23 Full Review Audience Member Great look at a legend with loads of talking heads and some fantastic music. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Only a few people in history can lay claim to the title "Legend". But, in the world of blues music, if anybody deserves that title it's the incredible guitarist and performer B.B. King. This documentary "The Life of Riley" does justice to the life of this wonderful charismatic man. From his humble upbringing, to life ploughing a field, and forwards into super-stardom and collaborations with the likes of Eric Clapton and U2, this documentary follows it all and gives an insight into what it takes to become the smiling face of the blues for nearly 70 years. The documentary is narrated by the Voice himself, Morgan Freeman, and contains talking head and archival contributions from a who's who of the industry and a bunch of fans - including; Clapton, Bono, Carlos Santana, Bruce Willis, Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Derek Trucks, Doyle Bramhall III, Joe Bonamassa, Bill Cosby, Robert Cray, Dr John, Buddy Guy, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, David Matthews, John Mayall, John Mayer, Aaron Neville, Leon Russell, Slash, Mick Taylor, Joe Walsh, Johnny Winter, Bill Wyman, President Barack Obama and, of course, King himself. (If that isn't an impressive list of remarkable people, I don't know what is). It's told in a conventional but effective way, but it's the story itself that is gripping. If you like blues music, do yourself a favour and see this documentary. 10/10 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member Perusvahva henkilödokkari. Alkupuoli mielenkiintoisempi lapsuuden ja uran alun kuvausta. Loppupuolisko enemmän peruskehumista. Muusiikki huippua alusta loppuun! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Saw this film at The Arclight in LA. It was amazing! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Audience Member A fitting and wonderful tribute to one of the greatest artists of all time. As with most legendary blues performers, the talent seems God given..out of the blue. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (7) Critics Reviews
      Liam Lacey Globe and Mail [King] is unfailingly articulate, gentlemanly and modest but this is a movie where more music, less talk would definitely have been an improvement. Rated: 3/4 Jun 28, 2013 Full Review Trevor Johnston Time Out In the music business, 'legend' is an over-used word: see this and understand what it means. Rated: 4/5 Oct 11, 2012 Full Review Robbie Collin Daily Telegraph (UK) Conscientious documentary toasting and contextualising blues guitarist BB King's life and work. Rated: 3/5 Oct 11, 2012 Full Review John Beifuss Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) It would have been nice if the movie had allowed voices less fannish than those of King's peers and childhood friends to make the case for the signficance of 'The King of the Blues.' Rated: 2.5/4 Jun 6, 2014 Full Review Jennifer Tate ViewLondon An intuitive and appealing documentary about the life of one of the world's most recognised Blues musicians, but BB King: The Life of Riley sometimes grows a bit repetitive and its chronological sequence is rather bland. Rated: 3/5 Oct 17, 2012 Full Review George Bass Total Film Too many people know this man as just the source vocalist from Moby's classic 'Natural Blues'; hopefully this will change that. Rated: 4/5 Oct 17, 2012 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis The life and music of BB King.
      Director
      Jon Brewer
      Executive Producer
      Jon Brewer, Tina France
      Production Co
      Emperor Media
      Genre
      Documentary, Biography
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Apr 5, 2018
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