---
title: "BB King was booted out of the Army for being a tractor driver"
date: "2020-02-05"
modified: "2020-10-21"
authors:
  - name: "Ward Carroll"
    job_title: "Navy Veteran, Contributor"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/wcarroll.md"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/bb-king-was-booted-out-of-the-army-for-being-a-tractor-driver/"
categories:
  - "Army"
  - "Entertainment"
  - "History"
  - "Music"
---

# BB King was booted out of the Army for being a tractor driver

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17215473/origin.jpg>)

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17215472/origin.jpg>)

---

Legendary blues guitarist B.B. King died today at the age of 89. King was renowned for his signature playing style and his singing voice. He was also one of the first blues "crossover" artists, making a big dent on the rock music charts with his cover of "The Thrill is Gone," which became a hit for him in 1969. Over the years King shared the stage with many major acts including Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, and U2.

King was also a military veteran, although he only served for a short time. He was inducted into the U.S. Army toward the end of World War II but released immediately following boot camp after officials ruled him as "essential to the war economy" based on his experience as a tractor driver.

Here's a great video about King's life:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqUhdBAJfsk

## Author
Ward Carrol is a Navy veteran, F-14 Tomcat Radar Intercept Officer, writer, and military commentator.

### Author social links  
[Youtube](<https://www.youtube.com/@WardCarroll>)

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