“Two reasons why: First, he defines a genre of music. When you think blues, you think BB King. Even a young kid can look at a picture of BB King and say, 'the blues.' The man is more than a musician. He's a monument.

“Second reason, of course, is his playing. His phrasing is second to none. I know it’s a cliché, but he can literally hit one note and you know it’s him. He has a sound, a touch and a vibrato that is uniquely his own. He talks and sings through his guitar - although, as we all know, his actual singing is extraordinary too.

“If I had to pick the essential BB King album, it would be Blues Is King [1967]. An incredible record in every way. What's interesting is, at the time he made it, he was coming off a lawsuit in which he lost a lot of money, so he couldn’t afford a big band and fancy production. So he just went ahead and cut the disc live with a four-piece group - and he’s on fire! His covers of Buzz Me and Night Life are the definitive versions, in my opinion.

"BB King. That's all you gotta say."