On his centennial birthday, we celebrate B.B. King, the “King of the Blues,” whose sound reached every corner of the world. While his roots were in Mississippi and Memphis, Chicago was central to his journey. On stages across the city—from smoky clubs on the South Side to festivals in Grant Park—B.B. King helped define Chicago’s reputation as the capital of urban blues. His presence in the city bridged Delta tradition and electric innovation, inspiring generations of musicians and reminding us t