The 1971 GRAMMYs marked a defining moment for blues legend **[B.B. King](https://grammy.com/artists/bb-king/14964)**, who took home his first golden gramophone that night. His timeless recording of “The Thrill Is Gone” was awarded Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male.
Presented by Freda Payne and Brook Benton — who shared some playful banter onstage — King stepped up to the mic to deliver a brief but heartfelt speech, thanking his musicians, producer and ABC Records. The late icon would go on to win a total of 15 GRAMMYs in his lifetime, with “The Thrill Is Gone” being inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame in 1998. For more unforgettable GRAMMY Rewind moments, visit GRAMMY.com/videos.
