The Unique Spirit of B.B. King

B.B. King knows a thing or two about the importance of diabetes management. Diagnosed over 10 years ago, King has not only remained one of the most influential blues guitarists in the world... he’s also one of the busiest!

Born Riley B. King on September 16, 1925, in Itta Bena, Mississippi, B.B. King is a living legend. From the moment he picked up a guitar at age 14, music has been his passion. He earned his unique nickname in 1949, when he became a full-time disc jockey and called himself the Beale Street Blues Boy (which would later be shortened to simply “B.B.”).

With the help of his trademark Gibson guitar (which he affectionately calls “Lucille”), King has inspired and influenced musicians of all ages. But in the past few years, he’s been inspiring a whole new audience with his dedication to diabetes management and by maintaining an active lifestyle.

King first learned that he has diabetes late one night in Louisiana, when paramedics were called to his aid and tested his blood sugar levels. Naturally, he was concerned—not only for his health, but particularly about having to lance his fingers. Music is not only King’s passion, it’s his life; anything that might hinder or jeopardize his playing is a serious issue.

You can only imagine how delighted King was when he discovered the OneTouch® Ultra System. OneTouch Ultra is fast (providing results in just five seconds) and easy to use. Plus it offers King the freedom to test on his arm, which leaves his fingers free to do what they do best. “These ten fingers are all I got!” said King in a recent interview. “If I can test my blood sugar without having to hurt myself, well then that’s great!” King was so impressed, he agreed to be the official voice of OneTouch Ultra and help spread the word to other people with diabetes.

King has refused to let diabetes slow him down and as a result takes his health very seriously. “I don’t eat sweets, no sugar,” he says. “I don’t smoke…I’m also a vegetarian, so I don’t have any real bad problems.” With a shrug and a smile, he adds: “I guess I don’t do everything I should—it wouldn’t be any fun to live! But I’m getting older now, so I’m cutting back a bit.” Of course, for a dynamo like King, “cutting back” means trimming down the nearly 300 dates he usually performs to the 200 he played in 2000!

Music fills B.B. King’s body and soul…and at age 75, he’s still moving to the bluesy rhythms in his heart. His humble roots only a memory, King has wowed audiences in over 80 countries and received numerous accolades, including nine Grammys and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We’re honored that B.B. King has chosen the OneTouch Ultra System as part of his diabetes management.