Eric Clapton to B.B. King: Thanks for the ‘inspiration and encouragement’

Guitarist Eric Clapton posted a tribute to his “dear friend” and mentor, blues legend B.B. King, who died Thursday at age 89, calling him “an inspiration.”

King, a Grammy-winner, recorded more than 50 albums, many with his beloved guitar, named “Lucille.” King also played Lucille during commercials about managing his diabetes.

Mr. Clapton lamented that there weren’t many who could play “in the pure way that B.B. did.”

Funeral arrangements for King haven’t been announced as of Friday morning.

Here is a transcript of Mr. Clapton’s video on Facebook:

“Hi, this is Eric Clapton here. I just want to express my sadness and to say thank you to my dear friend B.B. King. I want to thank him for all the inspiration and encouragement he gave me as a player over the years, and for the friendship that we enjoyed. There’s not a lot left to say because this music is almost a thing of the past now, and there are not many left to play in the pure way that B.B. did. He was a beacon for all of us who loved this kind of music, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart.

“And so if you’re not familiar with his work, I would encourage you to go out and find and album called ’B.B. King: Live at the Regal,’ which is where it really started for me as a young player.

“So, thanks for letting me share this, and thanks very much and good bye.”