ATLANTA-Two music legends and a rising jazz band treated fans to a night of blues and rock ‘n’ roll Friday.
Mississippi native B.B. King and Jeff Beck were the stars of the show, but New Orleans jazz/jam band Galactic put on an energetic show at the Chastain Amphitheater.
Fans filled the amphitheater’s rows and crowded around candle lit picnic tables in midtown Atlanta.
The highlight of the night for many fans was King’s performance. King, widely recognized as one of the most influential and talented artists in the world, emerged onstage cane-in-hand to a roaring crowd.
“It rocked to see my favorite band Galactic, but B.B. King stole the show with his soul,” senior biochemistry major Chelsea Miller said.
Guitar-wizard Beck also put on an energetic performance Friday night, wowing the crowd with smoking electric guitar riffs and his signature, raspy voice.
Both King and Beck were recently named high on Rolling Stone magazine’s “Top 100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time” list, Beck coming in at number 14 and King coming in at three.
Beck said he didn’t put much stock in lists like Rolling Stone’s.
“That’s the most ridiculous thing to start those kind of sweeping titles,” Beck said. “I’m not into self appraisals. As long as there’s something original going on, that’s all that matters.”
Beck found fame playing with guitar idols Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page in ’60s super group the Yardbirds. He is also credited for being the first guitarist to popularize the talk box, a music-enhancing device that alters voice tones.
Galactic also roused the crowd Friday, opening for Beck and King with their own brand of Southern jazz. Galactic exhibited the laid-back stage presence they’re known for while still putting on an energetic show.
A young band, Galactic has already played the New Orleans jazz scene for years and has four studio albums to their credit.
Galactic’s new album “Ruckus” comes out Oct. 7.