Joe Bonamassa on Making His All-Star B.B. King Tribute Album: ‘It Was a Selfish Mission’
Joe Bonamassa says making *B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100* was a personal tribute to the mentor who helped launch his career. The album brought together musicians from across blues and other genres, creating collaborations Bonamassa says might never have happened without King’s songs and name.
Bonamassa first opened for King at age 12 and stayed in touch with him until King’s death in 2015; he last saw him in 2014. Recording began in January 2025, with nearly two dozen King songs and 50 contributors, including Eric Clapton, Chaka Khan, Slash and Buddy Guy. The full collection was released on 6 February 2026 and reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Blues Albums chart, Bonamassa’s 31st chart-topper.
- Bonamassa made a tribute album for his mentor B.B. King.
- The collection features 50 contributors across nearly two dozen songs.
- It reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Blues Albums chart.
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B.B. King was an influential American blues singer and guitarist, known for songs such as “The Thrill Is Gone”. Joe Bonamassa is an American blues guitarist who first performed as an opening act for King when he was 12, and later described King as a mentor.
The tribute album brings together musicians from blues and other genres to perform King’s songs. Its scale reflects King’s lasting influence and how his music connects artists across generations and musical styles.