B.B. King’s funeral scheduled for May 23 in Las Vegas, daughter says

Blues king B.B. King’s funeral will be held on May 23 in Las Vegas, his youngest daughter, Claudette King, announced on her Facebook page Saturday.

“Hello all. Thank you everyone for your well wishes. My dad’s service is next Saturday, May 23rd in Las Vegas. Lying in state Friday, May 22, 2015. More later,” Claudette, who calls herself “the Bluz Queen” wrote in the post, which amassed more than 100 likes and more than 30 comments in the first three hours it was up.

Claudette’s father has been mourned by fans around the world since his death Thursday at home in Las Vegas. B.B. King, a sharecropper’s son, was raised during the Great Depression and went on to influence generations of musicians with his soulful melodies and much-lauded guitar skills.

Claudette King grew up listening to her father’s music and became a musician, hoping one day to carry on the King name.

“If he retired soon,” King -- also a singer -- told NPR in an interview in 2010, “the King legacy has got to continue to, you know, sing and be and existing for the world here. And I feel that I’m that one.”

Twitter:@jessicagelt

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