Tito Jackson of the Jackson Five was in Indianola on Tuesday to visit the B.B. King Museum and gravesite of the blues legend.
“I couldn’t come this far south and not check out B.B.,” the 63-year-old national recording artist said.
Jackson said B.B. has always been one of his music heroes and that he grew up listening to him because his mother was a great fan of the blues artist. He said he used to bring his mother to B.B.’s shows and they even visited him backstage. Jackson said he’s never missed seeing him when he was in his area.
“I listened to his music, and it inspired me to want to play guitar,” Jackson said.
This was Jackson’s first trip to the museum and when asked if he wanted to see anything in particular, Jackson said, “I want to see it all.”
Regrettably, Jackson said he never had the opportunity to play with “The King.” He recalled once instance when King was playing and he would allow musicians to come on stage and play with him but that was the one time he didn’t bring his guitar.
Jackson said he also plays the blues and people have told him that his music tends to have a “B.B. feel.” He said he was proud of that.
“I never meant to sound like B.B. King; it’s just that I grew up listening to B.B. King,” he said.
Jackson said one of his very first guitars was the same kind and color of King’s guitar and the last time he saw King he actually autographed it for him.
Jackson has just released a new single entitled “One Way Street.”
He and members of his entourage were given a special guided tour by Robert Terrell, director of operations.
Although he lives in California, Jackson still recognizes Gary, Indiana, as his home.
