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B.B. King Source:Getty

B.B. King lived a long, full life, and though we are sad and surprised by his passing at 89, we can celebrate the legend in these classic photos.

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Young blues singer B.B. King a local DJ at WDIA poses for a portrait circa 1948 in Memphis, Tennessee.

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Photo of American Blues singer and guitarist B.B. King.

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Blues musician B.B. King stands on the back of a truck with other African-American men to raise money for radio station WDIA’s Wheelin’ On Beale March of Dimes charity for pregnancy and baby health in circa 1955 in Memphis, Tennessee.

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Blues Singer/Guitarist B.B. King (Riley B. King) performs during a 1960’s concert.

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Posing with Grammy award.

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Blues musician B.B. King performs onstage with his Gibson hollowbody electric guitar nicknamed ‘Lucille’ and back up dancers in 1963 at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York.

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Some of the artists, including William Bell, Dick Gregory, B.B. King, Mrs. Evers (Myrlie Beasley), and Reverend Cleophus Rodinson that came together for a four hour concert to honor the memory of slain civil rights activist Medgar Evers pose for a portrait in circa 1970 in Fayette, Mississippi.

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Joni Mitchell and BB King perform live at at The Bread and Roses Festival at The Greek Theatre on October 4, 1980 in Berkeley, California.

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On “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” on July 31, 1981.

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B.B. King Source:Getty

Performing with Bono andAdam Clayton live onstage on The Lovetown tour.

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US blues music guitarist B.B. King appears during a tour at the Great Wall, 14 May 1994, in Beijing. B.B. King arrived here 13 May, and will perform at the grand opening of the Hard Rock Cafe in Beijing 14 May.

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On ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ with Alfonso Ribeiro and Will Smith.

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Eddie Cibrian, Lou Rawls, Angie Harmon, and Glen Alan Williams.

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B.B. King, Jewel and Busta Rhymes in 1998.

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B.B. King and Bill Bellamy during The Isle of Capri B.B. King Roast at Isle of Capri Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, United States. b.b. king

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Musician B.B. King signs copies of his new book ‘The B.B. King Treasures’ at Barnes & Noble November 29, 2005 in New York City.

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US singer and guitarist B.B. King gestures on stage during the Nice Jazz Festival on July 20, 2009 in Nice, southeastern France.

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Legendary Blues Musician BB King performs at The Fox Theatre on February 28, 2013 in Oakland, California.