B.B. King

B.B. King's vocal, sustain-heavy style on his guitar "Lucille" defined the blues and became a core influence for all subsequent rock and blues players. Over a career spanning 50 years, he performed 250+ shows annually, delivering an emotional depth rarely matched. King's expressive phrasing is richer than the average blues artist's and directly shaped the approach of Eddie Van Halen, who cited King's vibrato as a key inspiration. His tone remains a benchmark for warm, sustained notes, a standard few achieve.