B.B. King (Photo : REUTERS/VALENTIN FLAURAUD)
"King of Blues" B.B. King was hospitalized hours ago due to a diabetes-related complication but a statement was issued regarding his status saying that he is doing much better now.
The 89-year-old legend was reportedly dehydrated as per report of Los Angeles Times from the statement issued by King's daughter. The report shared that the musician has been battling Type II diabetes for more than two decades now.
This is not the first time that King suffered from health-related complications as last year, he had to cancel eight appearances as part of his tour due to falling ill after having a show at the House of Blues in Chicago. Also, the dehydration due to diabetes is not the first time that such incident happened because in his website, it was written back then that the doctor diagnosed King suffered from exhaustion thus the cancellation of his remaining shows.
King has always been on the road in his 65 years of being in the music business and played around 300 shows annually but has decreased significantly for the last ten years. In an interview with Rolling Stones last year, King said that he is slower now because when one gets older, their fingers swell and so it's more difficult for him to play his instruments.
However, King defended himself saying that he never misses shows as in his 65 years of being in the business, he only missed 18 days and he's not like other musicians who just take off. He added that he has never done such because if he is booked to play, he will play no matter what.
King made more than 50 albums and is known for his greatest hits such as "Three O'Clock Blues," "The Thrill Is Gone," and "When Love Comes To Town." King was also voted for the sixth spot of the "100 Greatest Guitarists" back in 2011.
