BB King At Sing Sing Prison Sings Blues To The Inmates & They Respond. The Complete Film
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Published 2020-06-10
So many of my subscribers and others have asked me to post this. It seemed to me to be the right time to post BB King for all. The concert in Sing Sing prison that day was a classic. No one was sure that it would happen- that the prison guards or the state of New York would block it, although the warden had given us permission. BB King came with his complete 26 piece band because he wanted to be there. It was a time when prisons began allowing outsiders to perform. Johnny Cash had done this at Folsom Prison shortly before. My experience with BB King was extraordinary. A true gentleman. Humble. And always working hard as a musician to get better. Never letting his fame overwhelm him.
But really, it doesn't matter whether or not you are a blues music lover. I have shown this film to audiences of all kinds, all creeds, all races and religions and ages, and the same reaction occurs. People can sense the greatness of BB King, his humanity, his sense of himself and his purpose, his love for people whoever and wherever they are. He came to this prison on that day so long ago to connect with folks who he could identify with. And he did. And the reaction to him as shown in this film is beautiful.
As for the inmates in the prison? There was some rough and bad folks for sure. I met them. But they were many who admitted to their crimes and were paying their dues and were in their own ways honorable people. I could depend on them and this film could not have been made without them.
All Comments (21)
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Here is BB King shot by another documentary filmmaker just a few years after I made my prison film with him. Wonderful insights and great music – https://youtu.be/cVqef-kBrRM
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This is not a concert. This is a testament of the power of music and how a single man can connect with thousands with a single note.
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This needs to be added to the Library of Congress National Film archive as a cultural treasure.
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I was a correctional officer at Soledad in California when King came and played in the yard on family day. I was positioned just off the stage when he came off the stage, he gave me a wink as he went by. Really cool.
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Saw this man perform twice towards the end of his life. He was seated for most of the show. What a great performer.
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As a 19 year old I am so grateful that things like this were recorded!
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2:10 "I'll do it, I'll come for free" - BB King. What a great and humble soul.
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I have a son in prison, wouldn't wish it on any single father ❤ but this is inspiring and I have loved B.B for a long time and respect him even more!!!!❤
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This documentary shows what an amazing musician BBKing was. How he was able to share his love with those less fortunate. RIP MR. KING!
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I come back to this regularly to be reminded how important love and compassion are. At 24:55 you see, when BB's been singing a song that says "someone really loves you", you see a inmate wiping a tear away. Makes me cry every time. It's easy to forget the humanity and pain of these people...it's beautiful that they put this show on.
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Whaaaat? You're the producer of BB King in Sing Sing? I wish all the young people who think that "old folks" are dull and boring would actually talk to old folks like us
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Isn't it wonderful to see the audience really paying attention and getting into every song with not a bloody cell phone in sight!
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The POWER of great music. Smiles on the prisoners and the guards! For that short time every race together. WOW he made some of them cry man.
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That's one hell of an achievement. To brainstorm the concert idea and then put it all together and make it happen. You should be a household name because of that.
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imagine someone who actual was at the prison and now watches this video today! CHILLS
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Bb turned all those hardened men into little boys in that concert. Amazing what the blues can do.
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What an absolute treasure! Those men never forgot that day, I can assure you.
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I bet you there's more than a few of those inmates that still talk about that concert to this day. Cuz from their perspective I bet that performance had a whole different meaning.
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Only B.B. King can make a grown man cry.
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Wish I could've grown up in the world when music said something, 21 years young, but hey at least we have the internet so it's never gone. God bless America and God bless music.
