Joe Bonamassa recently discussed the collaboration process behind covering B.B. King’s classic 1969 ballad “The Thrill Is Gone” featuring Eric Clapton and Chaka Khan. He shared details about the project in an interview with American Songwriter.
The blues guitarist explained the challenges of covering such an iconic song. He also detailed how the collaboration came together for his B.B. King tribute album.
“One, you have to go full icon, and that’s acceptable,” Bonamassa said. “‘Cause it’s such an iconic song. It’s B.B.’s signature song. Or, you find some unsuspecting young blues guy, or artist that has no idea what they’re signing up for, and make him the sacrificial lamb. So, I didn’t want to do that. So, I’m glad we ended up getting … Chaka and Erica. I mean, come on … that’s as good as it gets. And she sang the hell out of it. She just sang the hell out of it.”
Bonamassa revealed the specific condition Khan set for her participation in the project.
“Chaka said, ‘I’ll only sing ‘The Thrill Is Gone’ if Eric Clapton plays it,'” he continued. “I said, ‘Well, I may know someone who can get in touch with him.’ And that was pretty much it. And I was like, ‘Hey, Eric.’ Chaka Khan, being in the studio with her. [And] watching her chain smoke at Henson Studios in L.A. with not a care in the world.”
The guitarist emphasized the importance of doing justice to the B.B. King classic. He also highlighted the investment made in the recording.
“You can’t do a B.B. King tribute record and not do ‘The Thrill Is Gone,'” Bonamassa said. “It’s such an iconic song, and it’s a big ask. For Eric Clapton and Chaka Khan doing ‘The Thrill Is Gone,’ we used real strings, real horns. The budget was whatever it cost, because you only get one chance to do this correctly. And I think we nailed it.”
This collaboration is part of a much larger tribute project that celebrates the legendary blues icon’s lasting impact on music history.
The track appears on “B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100,” a comprehensive 32-track collection. American Songwriter reported that it celebrates B.B. King’s 100th birth anniversary on September 16, 2025. Bonamassa co-produced the ambitious project with Josh Smith, bringing together an impressive roster of artists to honor the blues legend’s musical legacy.
The album’s release timing holds special significance. Blues Rock Review noted that the complete collection arrived on February 6, 2026, available in digital, double CD, and triple vinyl formats. The extensive tribute showcases the enduring influence of King’s music across multiple generations of artists.
Clapton’s participation in the project carries particular weight given his deep personal connection to B.B. King. Parade highlighted that the two guitar legends shared a profound friendship that resulted in their collaborative 2000 Grammy-winning album “Riding with the King.” This previous partnership made Clapton’s involvement in the tribute album especially meaningful.
The star-studded nature of “B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100” reflects the widespread respect King commanded throughout the music industry. The project represents one of the most comprehensive tributes to the blues icon. It features contributions from artists across various genres who were influenced by King’s groundbreaking guitar work and emotional vocal delivery that defined the blues for decades.
