Joe Bonamassa Salutes The ‘Three Kings Of Blues’

The setlist for Joe Bonamassa’s summer tour is dedicated to the “Three Kings of Blues.” Of course, we’re talking about Freddie, B.B. and Albert. You’ll want to get tickets because the show is being called a “once-in-lifetime chance to see this musical tribute live.”

Photo: David Becker / Wire Image
Pearl Concert Theater, Las Vegas, Nev.

Bonamassa and B.B. go way back – all the way back to the summer of 1989, when a 12-year-old Bonamassa opened about 20 shows for the legendary blues musician.

“I had my own band, billed as Smokin’ Joe Bonamassa, and I was doing reasonably well in clubs in places like Buffalo and Scranton, Pa., playing on weekends,” Bonamassa told the Telegraph. “My mother wouldn’t let me play on weekdays because I had school. Then I was asked, do you want to open for BB King? Of course I want to open for BB King! Live at the Regal is my favorite album of all time; ‘The Thrill Is Gone’ is my desert island song.”

Bonamassa added, “He’s the nicest person I’ve ever met in the music business. He is the blues, the blues is him. He’s still excited about being on the road. I’m not sure I’m going to be still playing ‘The Ballad of John Henry’ aged 88. But I look at BB and that is exactly how I want to live my life.”

A post on Bonamasa’s Facebook page says the “Three Kings Tour” is limited to 14 dates only. Marking the rocker’s first ever U.S. amphitheatre tour, the show promises to be “an action-packed” performance featuring covers of the Kings’ songs “unlike anything he has played before.” The excursion is being filmed for TV.

Here’s the schedule:

Aug. 7 – Camden, N.J., Susquehanna Bank Center  
Aug. 8 – Holmdel, N.J., PNC Bank Arts Center      
Aug. 10 – Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Aug. 12 – Bangor, Maine, Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion     
Aug. 14 – Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Blossom Music Center     
Aug. 15 – Kettering, Ohio, Fraze Pavilion For The Perf. Arts          
Aug. 17 – Morrison, Colo., Red Rocks Amphitheatre          
Aug. 20 – Salt Lake City, Utah, Usana Amphitheatre
Aug. 22 – Mountain View, Calif., Shoreline Amphitheatre  
Aug. 24 – Paso Robles, Calif., Vina Robles Amphitheatre  
Aug. 25 – Santa Barbara, Calif., Santa Barbara Bowl          
Aug. 26 – San Diego, Calif., Humphrey’s Concerts By The Bay     
Aug. 28 – San Diego, Calif., Humphrey’s Concerts By The Bay    
Aug. 29 – Los Angeles, Calif., Greek Theatre

A fan club presale is ongoing now. Additional presales are scheduled this week. Tickets go on sale to the general public Saturday, Feb. 7.

For more information visit jbonamassa.com.