![117424932.jpg Portrait musician B.B. King in 1972.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/150513-bb-king-06.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
By TIME Staff
One of the most celebrated figures in the world of music, blues master B.B. King, died in Las Vegas on Thursday at the age of 89, according to the Associated Press, citing King’s lawyer.
The leading bluesman of his generation sold millions of albums over the course of his phenomenal career and was an inductee in both the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
His 2009 album, “One Kind Favor,” earned him his 15th Grammy.
Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter @lizabethronk.
![Portrait of musician B.B. King in 1972.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/150518-b-b-king-alternate.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![117424961.jpg Portrait musician B.B. King in 1972.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/150513-bb-king-02.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![117424943.jpg Portrait musician B.B. King in 1972.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/150513-bb-king-03.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![117424940.jpg Portrait musician B.B. King in 1972.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/150513-bb-king-04.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![117424971.jpg Portrait musician B.B. King in 1972.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/150513-bb-king-05.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![117424932.jpg Portrait musician B.B. King in 1972.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/150513-bb-king-06.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![117424963.jpg Portrait musician B.B. King in 1972.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/150513-bb-king-07.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
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