Retirement wasn't in B.B. King's plans when he spoke to the Tribune in December 2004.
"If I retire it would have to be that my health gets bad or people wouldn't come see me or stopped buying my records," King said. "Other than that, I don't see it, 'til the great one decides to stop me."

King apparently decided not to tempt fate because he announced in January that this year's world tour would be his last. He won't leave the stage behind entirely. He told MSNBC that he still would play some U.S. dates; but the years of 200-plus shows likely are a thing of the past.

King turned 80 in September so it's only natural for him to slow down a bit. Not only has King been a near-unstoppable road warrior, he has one of the most recognizable guitar sounds in music - a piercing, liquid tone that many have copied and none have equaled.