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 At the announcement of this year's lineup for the B.B. King Music Festival, the 77-year-old man himself took on the press with guitarist Jeff Beck, in what amounted to a love fest of respect for each other, the music, and, above all, the spirit of the blues. This year's model – the 12th installment due to kick off July 12, 2003 in Las Vegas – will hit the New York metro area on August 14th and 15th at the PNC Bank Arts Center and Jones Beach Ampitheater, respectively. Not so coincidentally, B.B. King and Jeff Beck each have new discs out this summer. B.B.'s new one, Reflections, features his unique takes of classics such as "What a Wonderful World" and "Exactly Like You." Jeff Beck's latest, titled Jeff, is due July 22nd and, according to the source, you can expect something "eclectic." The guys chilled and played off each other as they responded to questions on everything from the blues to B.B.'s near-death experiences, to the current rock scene and Rod Stewart's buttocks. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
What's it like working with each other? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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B.B. KING: | He's good looking and talented. It's a treat to work with guys like Eric Clapton, like I did on Riding with the King, and Jeff Beck now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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JEFF BECK: | Like a dream, never stood on the same stage with him until the other day. Eric Clapton was the first. Just to hear the precision in his playing.... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Did you ever think that you'd become a brand name? In reference to your popular B.B. King Blues Club? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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B.B. KING: | No, I didn't even think I'd make it past 40 years old. I've been in 18 car accidents and almost died in 2 or 3. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Do you enjoy performing more now than in the past? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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B.B. KING: | It's like going to the Berklee School of Music playing with these guys. It means more to me now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
What's it like playing together? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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JEFF BECK: | We talk musically when we're together. You just let go and let the music do the talking. I remember me and Eric Clapton listening to "Live at Regal" in a car tape deck in 1965 saying "Do you think he'll ever come over here to England?" and the next thing you know we're playing the Apollo with B.B. and Buddy Guy. It doesn't get any better than that. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Are there any songs you'll be doing on tour together? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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JEFF BECK: | Maybe a slow blues like "Key to the Highway." It'll be like a kid in a candy store with B.B. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
A version of the Yardbirds is currently touring. Any chance of a Yardbirds reunion? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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JEFF BECK: | Not a chance. I'm on one song on the new album, which was basically the result of a social reunion with the guys. We went upstairs to my home studio and did a tune. I think the new Yardbirds are a little Spinal Tap-ish, but I wish them the best. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
What do you listen to now? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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JEFF BECK: | Progressive and techno music, radio in England is dead now except for John Peel. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Do you find it difficult keeping the music basic with all the technology around you and guitar companies giving you gizmos to test? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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JEFF BECK: | Too much technology spoils rock. Look what the White Stripes did in their last album. They went into a studio in England and cut an album the old way. The idea is to make the album sound fresh and as raw as possible. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
Will you ever play with Rod Stewart again? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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JEFF BECK: | No, the tour that I did with him a few years back was like vaudeville with him shakin' his ass. I couldn't take it seriously. We did six gigs before his management and mine parted ways. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NYROCK: |
What do you attribute your longevity to? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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B.B. KING: | Young people playing and supporting the blues. Makes me forget what age I am. TOUR DATES: B.B. King Music Festival 2003 Tour Dates: JULY Friday, July 25 - Las Vegas, NV - Mandalay Bay Saturday, July 26 - Reno, NV - Hilton Amphitheater Sunday, July 27 - Kelseyville, CA - Konocti Field Amphitheater Tuesday, July 29 - Sacramento, CA - Raley Amphitheater Wednesday, July 30 - Fresno, CA - Grizzlies Field AUGUST Friday, August 1 - Concord, CA - Chronicle Amphitheater Saturday, August 2 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theater Sunday, August 3 - Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl Tuesday, August 5 - Phoenix, AZ - Dodge Theater Wednesday, August 6 - Albuquerque, NM - Journal Pavilion Thursday, August 7 - Denver, CO - Fiddler's Green Amphitheater Sunday, August 10 - Lexington, KY - Kentucky Horse Park Thursday, August 14 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center Friday, August 15 - Wantaugh, NY - Jones Beach Amphitheater Sunday, August 17 - Mansfield, MA - Tweeter Center Tuesday, August 19 - Toronto CAN - Molson Amphitheater Wednesday, August 20 - Cleveland, OH - Scene Pavilion Friday, August 22 - Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theater Saturday, August 23 - Madison, WI - Madison Blues Festival Sunday, August 24 - Minneapolis, MN - Grand Casino Amphitheater Tuesday, August 26 - Chicago, IL - Arie Crown Theater Thursday, August 28 - London, Ont. CAN - Boler Mountain Sunday, August 31 - Bridgeport, CT - Seaside Park SEPTEMBER Thursday, September 4 - Marion, SC - Carolina Amphitheater Friday, September 5 - Atlanta, GA - Chastain Park Amphitheater Saturday, September 6 - Atlanta, GA - Chastain Park Amphitheater Sunday, September 7 - Anderson, SC - Anderson Amphitheater June 2003
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