B. B. King Date: Tuesday, June 12 at 8 p.m. Venue: Saenger Theater, 6 S. Joachim St., 208-5600, www.mobilesaenger.com Tickets: $42.50/$50/$65 available at the Saenger Box Office and through Ticketmaster

It has been 60 years since King first left his Mississippi home for Memphis, Tenn., to be schooled by his legendary cousin Bukka White and pursue a career in the blues. A year later, King found his way to the airwaves courtesy of KWEM. His popularity grew to the extent the station provided him with his own show. While playing a 1950s show in Arkansas, two men fought over a woman named Lucille. During the melee, they knocked over a kerosene stove and the venue ignited. Amidst the chaos, King forgot his guitar then braved the flames to retrieve it. After emerging from the burning building, King decided to name the guitar (as well as the many after it) "Lucille." This served as a personal reminder to avoid such situations. Over the years, King’s influence has reached beyond the blues. Legendary guitarists such as Eric Clapton and George Harrison list him as an influence and King was inducted into both the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. King’s Memphis blues club also acts as a stepping stone for many up and coming blues artists.

Steve Young Date: Tuesday, June 12 at 7 p.m. Venue: Satori Coffee House, 5460 Old Shell Rd., 344-4575 Tickets: $10 at the door

Alabamian Steve Young has spent his life writing and performing some of the most memorable music in the U.S. and now he comes to WeMo’s Satori Coffee House. Much like J.J. Cale, Young’s songs have been performed and recorded by various, well-known artists. Though Young was born in Georgia and spent much of his early years traveling with his family, he considers Alabama his home and gives credit to the region for shaping his acoustic, roots-laden sound. With his 20s in sight, Young set out for New York’s Greenwich Village folk scene, which hosted artists like Bob Dylan and Phil Ochs. Back in Alabama, the Big Apple influence didn’t appeal to locals so he set sights on California. His Golden State stint got off to an admirable start as he began jamming with such musicians as Stephen Stills (Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young) and Gram Parsons. Young’s most famous song would have to be "Seven Bridges Road," which has been covered by everyone from Joan Baez to the Eagles. "Montgomery in the Rain" became a classic for Hank Williams, Jr.

Gainer w/ Blood on the Tracks Date: Saturday, June 16 at 10 p.m. Venue: Ravenite Pizzeria, 102 N. Section St. in Fairhope, 929-2525, www.theravenite.net Tickets: FREE

Fairhope has built a reputation as a quaint village immersed in the sophistication of the art world but this may change when Gainer and Blood on the Tracks arrive. Gainer is a ferocious Birmingham four-piece who play such popular venues as The Nick and Bottletree. This crowd pleaser should make a few new fans with music boasting traditional punk qualities yet dabbles in pop and power punk. California’s Blood on the Tracks will be the yin to Gainer’s yang with a mellow alternative sound. In 2006, they released an EP on Em Dash Music. Instrumentally, this band continues the evolution of rock styles made popular by Franz Ferdinand and Modest Mouse, yet the vocal qualities in their songs sets them apart.

the rundown

El Terrifico On May 19 at Monsoon’s, many were introduced to Mobile’s latest up-and-coming band El Cantador as they celebrated the release of their E.P. "Orange." If the music on this album is any evidence, El Cantador should not only become a local favorite but also a national musical force. This band has a melodious alternative sound with an alt-country attitude reminiscent of Wilco or Old ‘97s. The recording quality on "Orange" is superb in clarity. Heath Underwood’s rich and twangy vocal style is best presented in their song "Sparkle Eyed" and is complimented by the band’s Western overtones. With "The Untimely Death of William Maxwell Perkins," El Cantador skillfully takes their music into the world of ‘60s rockabilly with jangling guitars and a popping snare before a roar of distortion. This song makes one mentally travel into a world of go-go dancers and red shag. El Cantador will appear at Moe’s on June 7 and Callaghan’s Irish Pub on June 17. Definitely check them out.

GWAR returns Over a year ago, GWAR (aka the Scumdogs of the Universe) descended upon Soul Kitchen with a pestilence unseen in this city since Mangina. Oderus and the boys pummeled the crowd with their metal and gallons of bodily fluids. GWAR returns to Soul Kitchen on July 9. This time, they are stepping up Ragnarok with Shadows Fall and Chimaira on the bill. This will be metal madness at its finest!

Tull on calendar Perusing through the Saenger’s calendar can lead to some interesting finds! It seems as if the Saenger will be kicking off 2008 properly with a performance from Jethro Tull. One admirable thing about experiencing this band these days is that most of the members are from the classic era of Tull. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 15 and will sell out.

Another goes down With the news of Terry "Topper" Price’s death in our last issue, it’s regretful to report local favorite Clark Harris has also passed away at his home in Uriah, Ala., at the age of 60. This guitarist lived in the area for years acting as a student at the University of South Alabama as well as a guitar instructor. He and then-wife Joan were a musical duo frequenting classic venues like Admiral’s Corner, the Flora-Bama and The Pub at Eight King’s Restaurant. Harris also built his reputation in the Mobile music scene as the co-owner of the Mystic Café. He will be missed.