LOS ANGELES – After a 58-year reign, B.B. King, hailed as the king of blues, will launch what he says will be his final world tour later this year.
King will begin an international “Farewell Tour” in March, part of a domestic tour that starts Feb. 16 in Chicago, King’s publicist, Jerry Digney, said in a news release Wednesday.
King said he will continue to make U.S. concert appearances after the tour.
“I hardly remember I’m 80 unless I have to run up a hill or stairs,” the singer and guitarist said. “As long as people buy my records and come to my concerts, I don’t see anything else I’d like to do.”
King has toured every year for 60 years, Digney said Wednesday.
The musician celebrated his 80th birthday in September and released an album, “B.B. King & Friends – 80,” featuring Eric Clapton, Elton John, Sheryl Crow and other musicians.
A $10 million B.B. King museum is slated to open later this year in the Grammy winner’s native Mississippi.
“I think the clock is ticking, yes,” King said. “In fact, I know it is. Frank Sinatra sang about the September of (his) years. I think I’m in the November of my years.”