LAS VEGAS — A standing ovation for B.B. King and more cheers than tears marked a family-and-friends memorial of the late blues great's life and legacy Saturday in Las Vegas.
King's closed casket lay framed by an array of floral arrangements, two of his guitars named Lucille and a tapestry showing him in eyes-clenched reverie picking a note from a section of the guitar frets dubbed by followers the "B.B. King Box."
More than 10 of King's 35 grandchildren and eight of the blues icon's 11 surviving adult children spoke during a two-hour service that was distinct for its intimacy and notable for its lack of acrimony.
King’s granddaughter Landra Williams remembered her grandfather calling every woman in the family "pretty girl," and spoiling them all, while making himself their confidante and protector.
"To everyone else, he was a legend," she said. "But for us, he was love."
A family feud wasn't directly addressed by the dozens of speakers.
Several of King's surviving children are feuding with LaVerne Toney, his longtime business agent and power-of-attorney, who is now executor of his estate. Toney watched Saturday from the back row of the chapel and didn't speak during the service.
Attorney Larissa Drohobyczer, said Saturday that five adult King daughters — Patty King, Michelle King, Karen Williams, Barbara King Winfree and Claudette King Robinson — will contest the blues legend's will and Toney's actions.
The statement alleges Toney has misappropriated millions of dollars, has been untruthful and is unqualified to serve as executor of the B.B. King estate.
Toney told The Associated Press that she would not immediately respond. She said she was happy the memorial remained calm, peaceful and respectful.
IN-DEPTH
- Las Vegas Public Viewing of B.B. King Draws Hundreds
- B.B. King Dies at 89: Music World Mourns 'King of Blues'
- B.B. King, 'King of the Blues,' Dead at Age 89
— The Associated Press