B.B. King viewing draws more than 1,000 in Las Vegas
By KEN RITTER, Associated Press
May 22, 2015 10:21 PM CDT
Rita Washington, from left, Willie King and Barbara King Winfree stand outside of a funeral home after a private family viewing of their father B.B. King Thursday, May 21, 2015, in Las Vegas. The three, along with other immediate family members, attended a private viewing ahead of a public viewing of...   (Associated Press)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — In death, as in life, B.B. King drew fans to his side in Las Vegas.

A funeral home manager says more than 1,000 people streamed past the guitar-flanked casket of the King of the Blues during a four-hour public viewing Friday.

King died May 14 at home in Las Vegas.

The 89-year-old music legend, known for hits like "The Thrill Is Gone" and "Everyday I Have the Blues," wouldn't have been downhearted about the turnout.

One of 11 surviving children, his daughter Rita, says she knows he's just loving the send-off.

It's all part of one last B.B. King homecoming tour.

A memorial service is set for Saturday in Las Vegas.

He'll arrive Wednesday in Memphis, Tennessee, on the way to his final burial May 30 in Indianola, Mississippi.

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