1970 - Jail, very simple, is one helluva place to be. In 1968, when the Illinois Crime Commission and a prison reform group, the John Howard Association, investigated Chicago's infamous Cook County Jail, they called it a "jungle".
"Any-and-everything went," says a former inmate, "anything from heroin to whiskey to italian food was sold and traded in the jail. Homosexual rape, bribery and murder were the bill of fare. And he added sourly, no one seemed to give a damn."
So it was rather ironic on September 10,1970, that B.B.King should be performing before 2.117 inmates, with minimum security, in the yard of Cook County Jail. You get to hear prisoners booing the warden...
SIDE A
1-Introductions 1:50
2-Every Day I Have The Blues 1:43
3-How Blue Can You Get 5:09
4-Worry, Worry, Worry 9:57
SIDE B
1-Medley: 3 O'clock Blues / Darlin' You Know I Love You 6:15
2-Sweet Sixteen 4:20
3-The Thrill Is Gone 5:21
4-Please Accept My Love 4:02
SIDE A
1-Introductions 1:50
2-Every Day I Have The Blues 1:43
3-How Blue Can You Get 5:09
4-Worry, Worry, Worry 9:57
SIDE B
1-Medley: 3 O'clock Blues / Darlin' You Know I Love You 6:15
2-Sweet Sixteen 4:20
3-The Thrill Is Gone 5:21
4-Please Accept My Love 4:02
B.B.KING COOK COUNTY JAIL, is a manifestation of human generosity and beauty on B.B.'s part, and the raw appreciation of 2.117 of his most ardent fans. Throughout the summer of 1970, Cook County Jail has produced several shows for its inmates.
After B.B.'s concert, 2.117 inmates gave him a standing ovation. In the typical B.B.King style, he simply said, "If you liked me today, can I come back again"?
The answer was unanimous.
