Blab Music
Memphis Hosts 50th-Anniversary Tribute to B.B. Kings Lucille Talks Back
B.B. King’s 1975 album Lucille Talks Back is being celebrated with a new all‑star remake and a live event in Memphis. The project, executive‑produced by Meshell Ndegeocello, will launch on June 26, 2026, and the celebration will take place the day before at 7 p.m. in the New Daisy club.
The original album was released in 1975 and was produced by King himself. He recorded it with his own orchestra, blending his classic blues style with elements of rhythm and soul. The record was never widely distributed and, according to reports, is not available in full on major streaming services. A superfan discovered the original tracks and uploaded them to YouTube, where the eight‑song collection has been shared.
Open On Sunday, a music‑licensing company, is working with its sync team to secure brand partnerships that will support the remake’s release. Adrienne Muhammad, the company’s Director of Sync, told Digital Music News in June that the company is “in the process of working with its sync team for brand partnerships to further buoy the album’s success.”
The remake will feature an ensemble of contemporary artists who have been invited to honor King’s legacy. The lineup includes Eric Gales, Ledisi, Ann Nesby, Cam Anthony, INK, Cory Henry, Avery Sunshine, and Doyle Bramhall II. Each artist is expected to bring a fresh perspective while staying true to the spirit of the original recordings.
Meshell Ndegeocello, who has a long history of producing and collaborating across genres, is steering the creative direction of the project. She has described the remake as a way to “bring King’s vision to the people it was meant to reach.” The project’s goal is to re‑introduce the album to a new generation and to give contemporary audiences a chance to experience the depth of King’s songwriting.
The Memphis celebration will feature live performances that weave together the original material and the new interpretations. The event is intended to showcase King’s influence on the city’s musical heritage and to highlight the enduring relevance of his work.
The original Lucille Talks Back album was out of print for many years. It was only re‑released as a bonus disc in the 2012 iTunes edition of the Ladies and Gentlemen… Mr. B. B. King box set. The 1975 release remains a key piece of King’s catalog, noted for its emotional depth and its blend of blues with rhythm‑and‑soul elements.
The upcoming remake and event are part of a broader effort to preserve and promote King’s legacy. By bringing together a diverse group of musicians and leveraging modern licensing strategies, the project aims to ensure that Lucille Talks Back reaches audiences that may have missed the original release.
The remake will be available for purchase and streaming on June 26, and the live event will take place the evening before at the New Daisy club in Memphis. The project is expected to generate renewed interest in King’s catalog and to highlight the continued relevance of his music in contemporary culture.
The original album was released in 1975 and was produced by King himself. He recorded it with his own orchestra, blending his classic blues style with elements of rhythm and soul. The record was never widely distributed and, according to reports, is not available in full on major streaming services. A superfan discovered the original tracks and uploaded them to YouTube, where the eight‑song collection has been shared.
Open On Sunday, a music‑licensing company, is working with its sync team to secure brand partnerships that will support the remake’s release. Adrienne Muhammad, the company’s Director of Sync, told Digital Music News in June that the company is “in the process of working with its sync team for brand partnerships to further buoy the album’s success.”
The remake will feature an ensemble of contemporary artists who have been invited to honor King’s legacy. The lineup includes Eric Gales, Ledisi, Ann Nesby, Cam Anthony, INK, Cory Henry, Avery Sunshine, and Doyle Bramhall II. Each artist is expected to bring a fresh perspective while staying true to the spirit of the original recordings.
Meshell Ndegeocello, who has a long history of producing and collaborating across genres, is steering the creative direction of the project. She has described the remake as a way to “bring King’s vision to the people it was meant to reach.” The project’s goal is to re‑introduce the album to a new generation and to give contemporary audiences a chance to experience the depth of King’s songwriting.
The Memphis celebration will feature live performances that weave together the original material and the new interpretations. The event is intended to showcase King’s influence on the city’s musical heritage and to highlight the enduring relevance of his work.
The original Lucille Talks Back album was out of print for many years. It was only re‑released as a bonus disc in the 2012 iTunes edition of the Ladies and Gentlemen… Mr. B. B. King box set. The 1975 release remains a key piece of King’s catalog, noted for its emotional depth and its blend of blues with rhythm‑and‑soul elements.
The upcoming remake and event are part of a broader effort to preserve and promote King’s legacy. By bringing together a diverse group of musicians and leveraging modern licensing strategies, the project aims to ensure that Lucille Talks Back reaches audiences that may have missed the original release.
The remake will be available for purchase and streaming on June 26, and the live event will take place the evening before at the New Daisy club in Memphis. The project is expected to generate renewed interest in King’s catalog and to highlight the continued relevance of his music in contemporary culture.
