Blues legend BB King in hospital
from correspondents in Houston
January 27, 2007

BLUES legend B.B. King, 81, cancelled a show and was admitted to a Galveston, Texas, hospital with "flu-like symptoms," a hospital spokesman said overnight
King, who is diabetic but otherwise said to be in good health, was admitted to the University of Texas Medical Branch's Acute Care for Elders Unit at about 9.15pm local time on Thursday, hospital spokesman John Koloen said.

"It looks like flu-like symptoms. We're just holding him for observation and rest," Mr Koloen said. "He's in good condition, has a little fever. He's resting comfortably, and at this point we expect him to be released tomorrow."

King was scheduled to do two shows at the Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston Thursday and Friday night. Both were cancelled, said Maureen Patton, the theatre's executive director.

"His first concern was for us and his audience," Ms Patton said. "I told him not to worry about that, that our concern was for him. We're trying to reschedule."

King's Los Angeles-based publicist, Jerry Digney said that King would likely miss two more Texas shows before returning to his tour schedule with an appearance in Fort Worth next Tuesday.

"Because of his age it was agreed that he would be kept overnight in the hospital, but today he's cracking jokes and eager to get back to work," Mr Digney said.

King, who sings, plays guitar and writes songs, has been a fixture on the international music scene for 60 years and still tours. He has recorded more than 50 albums.

A native of Mississippi, he started playing for dimes on a street corner before rocketing to fame on the Memphis, Tennessee, blues scene.

King, whose biggest hits include The Thrill Is Gone and Every Day I Have the Blues, has amassed 14 Grammy Awards during his career, nine of them for best traditional blues album.