On the 16th September it would have been B.B. King’s 100th birthday and in celebration of that Joe Bonamassa announced the upcoming release of B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100, produced by himself and Josh Smith.
The Grammy-nominated duo’s collaborative tribute album will be released via KTBA Records, and the project launched with the release of its first five tracks and a promise of more to come in the months ahead. Well, that promise has been holding true with more tracks just released.
Bonamassa has also revealed details for one of the project’s most anticipated collaborations – ‘The Thrill Is Gone’, featuring Chaka Khan and Eric Clapton. The pairing of the powerhouse vocalist and guitar legend marks a historic moment within B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100, bringing together two of the most influential artists ever to interpret King’s timeless classic. The track will be released with the full album on February 6th.
Leading the Vol. III release, ‘Sweet Little Angel’, also features a new music video that interweaves archival and live footage of B.B. King and Buddy Guy performing – a poignant celebration of their friendship and shared musical lineage. “Buddy Guy is obviously the first call you make when putting this project together, and ‘Sweet Little Angel’ was his preferred song,” said co-producer Josh Smith. “This take shows you why Buddy is the living legend he is. Our most important living blues artist. In regards to the track, both Buddy’s vocal and guitar playing are from the same live track. No messing around, old school. The Real Deal indeed!”
‘Don’t You Want A Man Like Me’ features the powerhouse duo Larkin Poe reimagining one of King’s most playful songs with swagger and soul. “Larkin Poe are such a talented pair, and they both killed this track,” said Smith. “They brought such a unique spin and attitude to the original that flips it on its head. Mostly, it’s just such a fun rocking track. The vocals are incredible as is the lap steel guitar solo!!”
On ‘Heartbreaker,’ Eric Gales and Trombone Shorty deliver one of the project’s most explosive moments. “Man, Trombone Shorty and Eric Gales together?! What a combo,” Smith said. “So much talent. Shorty kills the vocals and plays all the horns on the song, and Eric does what he does!!! Pays tribute to B.B. while always being himself. This one just came together magically!”
‘Watch Yourself’ finds Texas blues legend Jimmie Vaughan at his most relaxed and soulful. “What an honor to have Jimmie Vaughan,” says Smith. “This is one of my favorite B.B. shuffles ever, and Jimmie brought so much fun and attitude to it. Jimmie also cared so much about the track that he recorded his own horn section unprompted (not knowing we were going to add the horns later anyway)! So cool and such a great performance.”
The volume closes with ‘When It All Comes Down (I’ll Still Be Around)’ featuring Larry McCray. “This song is a personal favorite from B.B.’s magical 60s/70s era,” said Smith. “Larry is truly the top of the heap, the greatest contemporary bluesman in the world. We just knew he would kill this song, and he does nothing less. The best!”
At the heart of Vol. II is ‘Chains And Things’, featuring Gary Clark Jr. “I reached out to Gary early in the planning and threw out this tune and he immediately said it was his favourite (especially the Live In Japan version),” said Smith. “He killed this track. You can tell how much the song means to him in his performance vocally, and the guitar playing is a perfect balance of homage to B.B. while staying true to his unique style. Again, the subject matter of this song demands a certain gravitas and he brought it in spades!”
Another unexpected gem comes with ‘Think It Over’ featuring Train’s Pat Monahan and guitarist Chris Buck. “When I added this song to the list we knew it would be a good choice as a curveball for some of the more rock or pop artists we hoped to include,” Smith explained. “When Pat’s name came up it seemed the perfect fit, and it really worked out that way. This was always one of my favourites under the radar B.B. songs and Pat killed it. Chris Buck added a guitar solo – He’s one of the top young players on the scene today. Together they turned this into a standout.”
“I can’t sound like B.B. King. So, I had no choice but to just be me on that, on ‘Think It Over’, said Monahan. “You know, blues is part of rock and roll, and rock is what I came up with. And blues was probably the most influential part of it. Like, I grew up a big Led Zeppelin fan. All they cared about was blues. And so, I kind of approached it, maybe like Robert Plant would have, tried to sing a B.B. King song instead of try to be like B.B., just be what I know how to be like.”
Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith’s longtime friend Keb’ Mo’ brings warmth and depth to ‘I’ll Survive’. “I had Keb’ Mo marked for this song right from my initial wish list,” said Smith. “I’ve always loved this song, and I just felt he would really own it. He did more than that. It’s a perfect pairing. I’ve known Keb since I was 14 years old and he is truly one of the kindest and most genuine people I’ve ever met. It’s an honour to call him a friend and to have him included. He’s one of the most important blues artists of the last 30 years.”
“I met B.B. King in probably 1972 or ‘73, while out on the road with Papa John Creach,” Keb’ Mo’ reflected. “Did a show with B.B. King and the Average White Band. That’s when I met him, but I’ve been listening to B.B. King my whole life.”
Joanne Shaw Taylor delivers one of the most fun and vibrant moments on the record with ‘Bad Case Of Love’. “Joanne chose this one,” said Smith. “It’s one of the most fun songs in B.B.’s catalog. She did an amazing job of bringing her thing to the track. It turned into such a vibe. The band is also killing this track!”
“Not only was B.B. King one of my earliest and most important influences,” said Taylor, “He was also incredibly encouraging towards me as a youngster who was fortunate enough to open up for him on multiple occasions. I’m so thankful Joe asked me to be part of this project in honour of him and this important birthday.”
Paul Rodgers lends his iconic voice to ‘Night Life’, a song that holds deep significance for both artists. “We had tracked ‘Night Life’ to pitch to Paul, and he came back to us asking for the Blues Is King version,” Smith recalled. “I loved that because it showed a true love for the original, and Blues Is King is my personal favourite B.B. live album. Paul is such a legend and to hear the amount of respect and importance he placed on this track is amazing. A true honour to have him included and his performance is amazing.”
The Vol. II release closes with ‘So Excited’ featuring Aloe Blacc, who infuses the song with soulful energy and contemporary flair. “This is one of B.B.‘s most energetic songs and we needed someone to bring that fire,” said Smith. “Aloe was the guy!! It’s so cool to hear his unique take and spin on it coming from more of a modern pop/R&B background. Also, Joe is killing the guitar solos and Jeff Babko with a killing organ solo.”
A total of 32 songs are going to be released in monthly instalments through to February 2026, culminating in the arrival of the full digital album as well as the double CD and triple LP vinyl on the 6th February 6th 2026.
“Very few people in music define the genre in which they flourish, and B.B. King is one of them,” said Bonamassa. “When B.B. was alive and active, he was the blues – He was the sun which all planets rotated around. Only a few artists are the true north guiding the genre in which they participated, but he was that shining star.”
The album includes jaw-dropping reinterpretations of King’s most iconic songs by an unprecedented collection of blues legends, rock icons, soul powerhouses, and rising stars. The first five tracks released today include collaborations with Michael McDonald, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks, Bobby Rush, George Benson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and D.K. Harrell.
A true labour of love for Bonamassa, the idea for the album was born after he realised that no major plans had been announced to celebrate King’s 100th birthday. With the blessing of the King estate, he began making calls, starting with longtime friends and collaborators, and eventually expanding to a wide network of artists whose lives and music had been shaped by King.
Vassal Gradington Benford III, Chairman of the Estate of B.B. King commented: “On behalf of the Estate of B.B. King, the B.B. King Family, Vassal Benford, and Ronald Lebow, we are deeply honoured to collaborate with Joe Bonamassa on this special project kicking off Mr. King’s 100th birthday centennial celebration. Together with Joe Bonamassa, along with other great artists, we celebrate not only Mr. King’s extraordinary music, but also his enduring spirit of love, unity, and the joy he brought to generations. This collection carries his legacy forward—so that new audiences may continue to feel the heart, soul, and humanity of the King of the Blues.
The result is a bespoke project, nine months in the making, with contributions from Buddy Guy, Keb’ Mo’, Slash, Shemekia Copeland, Marcus King, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Larkin Poe, Jimmie Vaughan, Warren Haynes, Dion, Aloe Blacc, Kirk Fletcher, and many others. Each artist was matched with material that felt personal – sometimes surprising – and all were given space to interpret King’s catalogue through their own lens.
Bonamassa, who first opened for B.B. King when he was just 12, credits the blues titan with shaping his approach to music and life. “He mentored me,” said Bonamassa. “But I wasn’t the only one. All the people in his orbit have the same story about how kind B.B. was, and how he embraced the younger generation.”
As producer, Bonamassa paid special attention to preserving the quality and emotional authenticity of the work. Tracks like ‘The Thrill Is Gone’ were given the full treatment with real strings, horns, and whatever else was needed to do them justice. “You only get one shot to do this correctly,” he said. “And I think we nailed it.”
The project also highlights King’s extraordinary vocal prowess – a trait often overshadowed by his legendary guitar playing. “He’s known as a guitar player, but if Frank Sinatra says, ‘Hey, this is one of my favourite singers in the world,’ you listen,” said Bonamassa. “He could shake the ground with that chest voice.”
For the artists involved, the project was more than a musical endeavour – it was a chance to reflect on King’s cultural and personal significance. Bobby Rush, who met King in 1948, called him “the man I looked up to all my life” and recalls leading the hearse at his funeral. Kenny Wayne Shepherd shared a story about receiving life advice from King on his 16th birthday. Marcus King remembers leaning against the back wall at a B.B. King show as a child, a moment that stayed with him forever.
Other pairings bring together artists from different genres and generations, including Shemekia Copeland, Slash, and Myles Kennedy joining forces for ‘When Love Comes to Town’. The album is released through Bonamassa’s own KTBA Records as part of his ongoing effort to uphold the rich culture and history of the blues as a true American art form.
The album title is a nod to King’s Grammy-winning 1993 album Blues Summit. For Bonamassa, this project is less a swan song than a mission fulfilled. “B.B.’s only wish was, ‘Do what you can to keep the blues alive,’” he said. “Well, hopefully this album gives a B12 shot to his legacy – And to the legacy of the blues.”
King, who passed away in 2015 at 89 years old, left behind a legacy as a performer, songwriter, and global ambassador. With over 50 albums, 15 Grammy Awards, and performances in nearly every corner of the globe, he introduced the blues to millions and inspired generations. As Buddy Guy once said, “Every electric guitarist you listen to, there’s a little bit of B.B. in there.”
The first tracks released from B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 are available on all digital platforms now, with additional songs to be released monthly through February 9th, 2026 – the date the full album arrives in both digital and physical formats. For more information go here.
Disc 1 of B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 features ‘Paying The Cost To Be The Boss’ spotlighting Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, ‘Don’t Answer The Door’ with Marcus King, ‘To Know You Is To Love You’ with Michael McDonald, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks, ‘Let The Good Times Roll’ featuring Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Noah Hunt, ‘Sweet Little Angel with Buddy Guy, ‘When It All Comes Down (I’ll Still Be Around)’ with Larry McCray, ‘When Love Comes To Town’ features Slash, Shemekia Copeland & Myles Kennedy, special guests for ‘The Thrill Is Gone’ have yet to be announced, ‘Watch Yourself’ features Jimmie Vaughan, ‘Why I Sing The Blues’ features Bobby Rush, ‘Sweet Sixteen’ features Jimmy Hall & Larry Carlton, ‘Don’t You Want A Man Like Me’ features Larkin Poe, ‘I’ll Survive’ features Keb’ Mo’, ‘Heartbreaker’ features Trombone Shorty & Eric Gales, ‘There Must Be A Better World Somewhere’ features George Benson, and ‘Chains And Things’ features Gary Clark Jr.
Disc 2 contains ‘How Blue Can You Get’ featuring Warren Haynes, ‘You Upset Me Baby featuring Chris Cain, ‘Ghetto Woman’ featuring Ivan Neville, ‘Night Life’ featuring Paul Rodgers, ‘Ain’t Nobody Home’ featuring Jade MacRae & Robben Ford, ‘Bad Case Of Love’ featuring Joanne Shaw Taylor, ‘Never Make A Move Too Soon’ featuring Dion, ‘Three O’Clock Blues’ featuring Marc Broussard, ‘Think It Over’ featuring Train & Chris Buck, ‘It’s My Own Fault’ featuring Kim Wilson, ‘Every Day I Have The Blues’ featuring D.K. Harrell, ‘Please Accept My Love’ featuring John Nemeth, ‘So Excited’ featuring Aloe Blacc, ‘When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer’ featuring Dannielle De Andrea, ‘Playin’ With My Friends, and ‘Better Not Look Down’ featuring Kirk Fletcher.
You can order B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 here.|
