U.S. blues guitarist BB King plays at the Pyramid Stage on the third day of the Glastonbury Festival in Worthy Farm, Somerset June 24, 2011.
BB King passed away in Las Vegas. In this picture, the Blues legend performs at the Pyramid Stage on the third day of the Glastonbury Festival in 2011 Reuters

Blues legend BB King has died in Las Vegas aged 89. The King of Blues guitarist and singer's lawyers said the octogenarian died in his sleep.

Born as Riley B King in Mississippi on 16 September 1925, he began performing in the 1940s and was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In 2009, King was given his 15th Grammy award for his album One Kind Favor. The American singer and songwriter was ranked sixth on Rolling Stone magazine's 2011 list of 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

Last month, the legend was admitted to a Las Vegas hospital for dehydration resulting from Type II diabetes. King had been a diabetic for almost 20 years. But last week, the musician stated that he was back home and under hospice care.

The legend reportedly had over 15 children and 50 grandchildren. He was well-known for hits such as Lucille, Sweet Black Angel and Rock Me Baby.

"King is where he wishes to be. He's always told me he doesn't want to be in a hospital. He wants to be at home," said Laverne Toney, business manager of the legendary artist.

Until 2013, King was performing in almost 100 concerts a year, but last year cancelled the final shows of his 2014 tour due to illness.

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