One of the Most Influential and Inspirational Stories in the History of Music Narrated By Morgan Freeman Theatrical Release – 15th October 2012, DVD Release – late 2012
Universal Music To Release Original Soundtrack And Also BB King Boxset.
“The invaluable and definitive autobiography on film of the last great bluesman, BB King. And much more: this movie is BB’s valedictory testimony, and a monument to the essence of the blues and whence he and they came – in Mississippi delta cotton country – and their impact on us all” – The Observer
EMPEROR MEDIA is pleased to announce the release of the much-lauded film on the extraordinary life of Blues legend BB KING – opening in Cinemas across the UK on the 15th October 2012.
This powerful, insightful and heart-warming film about legendary Blues man BB King is being directed and produced by Jon Brewer. Brewer has been working closely with this gregarious and charming musician for the past 2 years, and has been given extraordinary access to his friends, family and colleagues. This is a no holds barred, powerful documentary feature that explores how a black cotton picker from Mississippi turned his life around, battled against all the odds and unrelenting racism to overcome even the toughest critics in the entertainment industry and become ‘KING OF THE BLUES’, performing over 15,000 gigs and selling in excess of 40 million records worldwide to date. One particularly poignant scene shows BB King jamming at the Whitehouse with Barack Obama – this is much more than a music documentary. It is this essence of BB’s story; highlighted by rare archive photos and footage, along with personal interviews, that make this a beautiful, informative and visually captivating feature documentary, all bound together by BB’s trademark sound.
At 87 years old BB King continues to tour extensively, last playing the UK at The Royal Albert Hall in 2011, joined onstage by Slash, Ronnie Wood, Mick Hucknall, Susan Tedeshi and Derek Trucks in a concert for DVD also directed by Brewer.
The film is narrated by Morgan Freeman and featuring contributions from, amongst others Eric Clapton, Bono, Ringo Starr, Carlos Santana, Bill Wyman, Slash, Bonnie Raitt, Peter Green, Buddy Guy, Ronnie Wood, Bruce Willis and many more…
To tie in to the film release Universal Music will be releasing an Original Soundtrack, “BB King: The Life Of Riley” OST, with songs from the film, on the 22nd October 2012. This will be preceded on the 24th September 2012 with a lavish 10 CD, 194 track box set collection chronicling his entire career from his first recordings in 1949 through to his most recent studio album. Entitled “Ladies And Gentlemen…Mr. BB King”, the box set celebrates his 50th Anniversary signing to ABC-Paramount Records in 1962 through a multi-format career retrospective. The boxset is available on umusic.ly/BBKing10phys.
Prior to a DVD release later in 2012, “BB King: Life Of Riley” will be showing across the UK on the 15th October 2012. Cinemas confirmed so far are below. Tickets go onsale 5pm GMT Friday 14th September 2012.
Odeon Cinema List: BB King The Life of Riley – 15th October 2012
Basingstoke Belfast
Birmingham Braehead Glasgow
Brighton Cardiff
Chelmsford Derby
Edinburgh Lothian Road Greenwich
Hull Kingston
Leeds Bradford Lincoln
Liverpool One Manchester Printworks
Milton Keynes Newcastle Silverlinks
Norwich Oxford George St.
Panton St Preston
Sheffield Southampton
Streatham Surrey Quays
Taunton Whiteleys
Wimbledon Worcester
Ireland: Coolock
Stillorgan The Point Village
Tickets will be priced £10 and booking information is available on http://www.odeon.co.uk/fanatic/odeonplus/music/
Showcase Cinema List: BB King The Life Of Riley – 15th October 2012
Bluewater CDL Bristol
CDL Derby CDL Leicester
Tickets will be priced £10 and booking information is available on www.showcasecinemas.co.uk
‘BB King: The Life of Riley’ – Contributors
Aaron Neville Allan Hammons
Annie Clay B.B. King
Bernard Purdie Bill Cosby
Bill Szymczyk Bill Wyman
Billy Boy Arnold Bobby Bland
Bono Bonnie Raitt
Bruce Willis Buddy Guy
Calvin Owens Carlos Santana
Carver Randle Cato Walker
Charles Evers Charles Sawyer
Clemmie Truevellian Derek Trucks
Delcia Davis Doyle Bramhall
Dr. John Eric Clapton
Ernest Withers Ford Nelson
George Benson James Toney
Jessie May Golden Joe Bihari
Joe Bonamassa Joe Walsh
John Cadillac Holden John Fair
John Mayer John Mayall
Johnny Winter Jonny Lang
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Lessie May Fair
LaVerne Toney Leon Russell
Mick Hucknall Mick Taylor
Morgan Freeman Paul Rodgers
Peter Green Polly Walker
Rev. David Matthews Ringo Starr
Robert Cray Robert Lockwood
Ronnie Wood Sara Betty Lou Henson
Slash Stewart Levine
Sue King Evans Susan Tedeschi
Tina France Walter Trout
Wayne Cartledge
www.bbkingthelifeofriley.co.uk
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