There is a moment in every legend's life when the world begins to really witness the mastery of their artform. For B.B. King, there was no turning back from his fate to become the King of Blues after releasing "The Thrill Is Gone" in 1969. His reimaging of Roy Hawkins' jazzy 1951 R&B hit would remain one of his biggest songs—and the highest-charting, hitting No. 15 on the Hot 100.
At the 1971 GRAMMYs, the classic blues bop would also earn him his first of 15 career GRAMMY wins.
More B.B. King, "Auld Lang Syne": For The Record
For the latest edition of GRAMMY Rewind, we revisit this first-ever GRAMMY win for the guitar great. Above, watch a humbled, dapper King accept the golden gramophone for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
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