Friday, March 4, about noon, Deb learned that friends planned to see BB King at Chinook Winds that evening and that if we could find tickets, we could go together and eat at the buffet before the show. Deb went to the web site, which said the show was sold out--easy to believe--but she phoned and the lady at the casino said there were seats left at one table. Deb grabbed them, called me, and we were on our way. The buffet, $30 for two, all you could eat, was good, lots of seafood on a Friday, and afterward we found our seats in the theater at a narrow table for eight, perpendicular to the stage, some 40 feet away.
At 8 exactly, the band came out, played a set, and then stage hands brought a chair stage center, and between two handlers making sure he didn't stumble, out walked the master himself, BB King.
The chair was for him. He made a point several times, when he was ribbing ladies in the front rows, that he was 85 years old.
He talked as much as he played or sang, a patter easy to listen to, but when he played or sang, age was not a factor.
At 9:30, he stopped playing and offered to sign souvenirs. We left our seats and moved closer--Deb reached the front and snagged three plastic BB King lapel pins, one of which she gave to our friends.
BB signed a few things handed to him, then was helped to his feet, put on a long coat and a hat, and was helped off the stage.
At 9:30, he stopped playing and offered to sign souvenirs. We left our seats and moved closer--Deb reached the front and snagged three plastic BB King lapel pins, one of which she gave to our friends.
