B.B. King (born Riley B. King, September 16, 1925) is an African American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter known for his expressive singing and guitar playing.According to Edward M. Komara, King ''introduced a sophisticated style of soloing based on fluid string bending and shimmering vibrato that would influence virtually every electric blues guitarist that followed.'' Critical acclaim and widespread popularity have cemented his reputation as possibly the most respected, successful, and most recognized bluesman, not just in the United States, but in the world. ''Rolling Stone'' magazine ranked him at #3 on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time''.