" My mother was a very beautiful lady, I thought. She was very good to me. I guess – she died when I was nine and a half, but if she had lived, I probably wouldn’t be trying to play guitar. She wanted me to be known, but as something else. Not a guitar player. "
- B. B. King

In these heartfelt words, B. B. King reflects on his relationship with his mother and her influence on his life's direction. He expresses how she was a significant figure who cared for him deeply but tragically passed away when he was only nine years old. Her early death left an indelible mark on King’s path in life, leading him to question what might have been if she had lived longer.

The quote also touches on the idea of identity and destiny. King suggests that his mother's aspirations for him were different from becoming a renowned guitarist. He implies that her ambitions may have steered him towards a different career or recognition, one that was perhaps more conventional in the society they lived in at the time. This thought raises questions about the impact parents can have on their children’s life choices and how those paths might diverge when such influential figures are no longer present to guide them.

B. B. King is an iconic American blues guitarist and singer, widely recognized as one of the most influential musicians of his era. Known for his soulful voice and masterful guitar playing, particularly with his signature instrument named "Lucille," King's music has resonated with audiences worldwide over a career spanning several decades. His reflections on his mother’s role in shaping his identity offer insight into both the personal and cultural dimensions that have informed his artistic journey.