The Beale Street Blues Boy was never seriously respected among "blues enthusiasts". Most critics may prefer Freddie King or Albert King, and I love those guys too. Perhaps critics didn't like the fact that B.B. seemed happier than most blues musicians. Maybe they didn't like the fact that he "crossed over" by performing with popular acts(See this performance with U2). Or perhaps, just seeing a venerable blues master on MTV turned off some critics.
But for a child of the 80's, B.B. King was most influential in getting me to discover the blues on a deeper level. I don't know if I would have delved into the blues music of Robert Johnson, Howlin' Wolf, and the aforemention Freddie and Albert King without having heard this style of music played by B.B. King. The fact is, B.B.'s music did open the door to the blues for me. To that, I thank the man.
Here is B.B's 1964 single "You're Gonna Miss Me". Indeed, B.B., we will...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubvBuvAJnCs
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