Letter of the Day (Oct. 10): B.B. King

Let's remember B.B. King as the legend he is, but let's not pay him to perform past his prime.

October 9, 2013 at 11:19PM
Picture taken Sumnday July 3, 2011 of legendary US blues guitarist musician B.B. King, performing on the Stravinski Hall stage during the 45th Montreux Jazz Festival, in Montreux, Switzerland. (AP Photo/Keystone Martial Trezzini) - GERMANY OUT - AUSTRIA OUT - a1rail ORG XMIT: MIN2013072319313324
B.B. King, legendary blues musician, singer, songwriter and guitarist, in a 2011 performance at the 45th Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

On Friday evening, our family had tickets to see the blues legend B.B. King at Mystic Lake. This was a major disappointment — B.B. could only converse with the audience (he sang three songs partly and did complete a "You Are My Sunshine") with audience participation. I realize this man is 88 years old, and that in itself is an accomplishment. His days of performing before a paying audience should be over; let's remember him for his gift as a blues legend.

Who is to blame here — Mystic Lake or the promoter — for this ripoff of the public? People left the event in large numbers, with B.B. saying he wasn't done yet.

Yes, he is.

MARY ROBINSON, Mankato, Minn.
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