Tuesday 29th October 1991
Memphis City Council named interstate 55 through Jackson, ‘The B.B. King Freeway’. The 79-year-old famed bluesman was on hand, but without the guitar he called Lucille. “I’m not very good at talking and Lucille is asleep on the bus,” King said. “Thank you Memphis. Thanks to all of you, God bless you.” King, whose given name is Riley, grew up in rural Mississippi. He began his career on Beale Street and took the stage name “B.B.” for Beale Street Blues Boy.