Connect with us

Entertainment

B.B. King’s Family Loses Bid for Control of His Affairs

Published

on

Patty King, daughter of B.B. King, cries while leaving Clark County Family Court Thursday, May 7, 2015, in Las Vegas.  A dispute over B.B. King's health and wealth has been tossed out of court by a judge in Las Vegas who says two investigations didn’t find the blues legend is being abused. Thursday’s court ruling keeps King’s longtime business manager, Laverne Toney, in legal control of King's affairs. King’s doctor says the 89-year-old musician is in home hospice care. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Patty King, daughter of B.B. King, cries while leaving Clark County Family Court Thursday, May 7, 2015, in Las Vegas. A dispute over B.B. King’s health and wealth has been tossed out of court by a judge in Las Vegas who says two investigations didn’t find the blues legend is being abused. Thursday’’s court ruling keeps King’s longtime business manager, Laverne Toney, in legal control of King’s affairs. King’s doctor says the 89-year-old musician is in home hospice care. (AP Photo/John Locher)

KEN RITTER, Associated Press

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Noted blues man B.B. King — his health failing at age 89 — is in the middle of tug of war between some of children and his longtime manager.

Three of King’s 11 surviving children in a bid to take control over their father’s affairs said they suspect the blues legend’s manager of stealing his money and neglecting his medical care while blocking them from seeing him in home hospice care.

But a judge in Las Vegas tossed the dispute out of court Thursday, saying two investigations found no evidence King was being abused and that King’s longtime business manager, Laverne Toney, should remain in legal control of his affairs.

Toney and King’s lead attorney, Brent Bryson, deny the allegations by three of King’s children, Karen Williams, Rita Washington and Patty King. They say the children can schedule visits just like they always have been able to do.

King’s personal lawyer, Arthur Williams Jr., and his physician, Dr. Darin Brimhall, said outside the Clark County Family Court hearing that they saw no neglect or abuse.

King, who suffers from diabetes, did not attend.

Family Court Hearing Master Jon Norheim said police and social services investigations in October and April uncovered no reason to take power of attorney from Toney.

“There is no evidence of need for guardianship,” Norheim said. “Mr. King has counsel. I don’t have anything here that says he lacks capacity. He has some serious health issues. But he has counsel. If he feels like he’s being taken advantage of, he has remedies.”

Norheim said he could not consider daughter Karen Williams’ petition to take over as King’s guardian until all of King’s children and grandchildren get legal notice.

Williams and a family-nominated guardian, Fredrick Waid, want to wrest power of attorney from Toney.

They said in an April 29 petition seeking appointment as temporary co-guardians that more than $5 million in assets was at stake.

Bryson said he couldn’t comment on King’s estate, which is also expected to include intellectual property rights and royalties.

The petition alleges Toney blocks King’s friends — including musicians Willie Nelson, Buddy Guy, Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton — from visiting him.

They also say Toney put her family members on the King payroll, and that large amounts of money have disappeared from King’s bank accounts.

“The family has been unable to account for what is reported to be in excess of $1 million,” the court document says.

The judge’s ruling doesn’t prevent King’s children from returning to court to press their claim once all family members have been legally informed of the action.

“We lost the battle, but we haven’t lost the war,” Karen Williams vowed.

King was hospitalized a week ago after police were called to his home in a dispute about his condition between Toney and King’s daughter, Patty King. No one was arrested and King returned home to hospice care shortly afterward.

King, born Riley B. King in the Mississippi farm town of Itta Bena, toured and performed almost continually until October, when he canceled the remaining shows in his 2014 tour after falling ill in Chicago with dehydration and exhaustion.

Las Vegas police were called to King’s home in November on allegations of elder neglect and abuse. Officer Jesse Roybal said that case remains open, and no details were available.

King is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and a 15-time Grammy winner. He has released more than 50 albums and sold millions of records. He is considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

His guitar, famously named Lucille, has soared and wailed in songs ranging from “Every Day I Have the Blues” to “The Thrill is Gone.”

King was married several times and had 15 biological and adoptive children. Four have died.

His eldest surviving daughter, Shirley King, who tours as “Daughter of the Blues,” said the dispute between family members and Toney has brought disrespect to her father’s name and memory.

“I’m not too sure things are right. But my dad would never want this,” Shirley King said by telephone from her Chicago-area home.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

Published

on

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Continue Reading

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of March 11 -17, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 11 – 17, 2026

Published

on

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Continue Reading

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of March 4 – 10, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 4 – 10, 2026

Published

on

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Continue Reading

Subscribe to receive news and updates from the Oakland Post

* indicates required

CHECK OUT THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE OAKLAND POST

ADVERTISEMENT

WORK FROM HOME

Home-based business with potential monthly income of $10K+ per month. A proven training system and website provided to maximize business effectiveness. Perfect job to earn side and primary income. Contact Lynne for more details: Lynne4npusa@gmail.com 800-334-0540

Facebook

#NNPA BlackPress1 month ago

Reflecting on Black History Milestones in Birmingham AL

Bay Area1 month ago

CITY OF SAN LEANDRO STATE OF CALIFORNIA PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ENGINEERING DIVISION NOTICE TO BIDDERS FOR ANNUAL STREET OVERLAY/REHABILITATION 2019-21 – PHASE III

Activism1 month ago

Oakland Post: Week of February 18 – 24, 2026

Activism1 month ago

Oakland Post: Week of February 25 – March 3, 2026

#NNPA BlackPress1 month ago

PRESS ROOM: NBA Hall of Fame Nominee Terry Cummings Joins 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to Launch Victory & Values Initiative

#NNPA BlackPress1 month ago

Trump’s MAGA Allies are Creating Executive Order Plan to Steal the 2026 Midterms

Activism4 weeks ago

Oakland Post: Week of March 4 – 10, 2026

Bay Area entrepreneurs attend the Alley-Oop Accelerator, a small business incubation program at Chase Oakland Community Center. Photo by Carla Thomas.
Activism1 month ago

Chase Oakland Community Center Hosts Alley-Oop Accelerator Building Community and Opportunity for Bay Area Entrepreneurs

#NNPA BlackPress1 month ago

U.S. manufacturing rebounds – how foundry services are adapting to rising demand

#NNPA BlackPress1 month ago

Poll Shows Support for Policies That Help Families Afford Child Care

#NNPA BlackPress1 month ago

OP-ED: One Hundred Years of Black Workers Telling the Truth

#NNPA BlackPress1 month ago

Advancements in solar technology that are changing the way we power the world

#NNPA BlackPress4 weeks ago

Woman’s Search for Family’s Roots Leads to Ancestor John T. Ward – A Successful Entrepreneur and Conductor on the Underground Railroad

Activism3 weeks ago

Oakland Post: Week of March 11 -17, 2026

#NNPA BlackPress4 weeks ago

COMMENTARY: Women of Color Shape Our Past and Future

Trending

Copyright ©2021 Post News Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.