Start a journey through the Mississippi Delta and the life of B.B. King in a theater featuring the very latest in high-definition projection and audio technology.

Here visitors will be introduced to the conditions, sight, and sounds of the Mississippi Delta through audio and visual elements that express the landscape and life. The Mississippi River has also served as a major artery for the movement of people and music.

Born near Berclair, Mississippi in 1925, Riley B. King learned early on that Delta life could bring heartache as well as hardship culturally, politically, and socially. Explore King’s experiences growing up, including life as a sharecropper and tractor driver, and his character through relationships with family, school, religion, and work.

During the 50s, Memphis was at the center of the R&B and rock n’ roll revolution. This gallery takes visitors on an adventure as Riley B. King finds his way to the airwaves of WDIA, where you can hear firsthand accounts of Riley’s conversion to the Beale Street Boy.

Following the success of Three O’Clock Blues, B.B. spent his life on the road, playing well over 300 one-night-stands in a year. This gallery chronicles B.B. King’s life as a musician touring the Chitlin’ Circuit, a loose network of African-American clubs across the southeastern United States.

B.B.‘s electrified, big-band style began to blossom in the 60s, partly due to the influx of British bands like The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton. It includes B.B.’s personal home studio in addition to an interactive guitar room for visitors to enjoy. Here you will see how B.B.’s honesty, civility, and compassion contributed to American culture.