More than 1,000 pay respects to B.B. King at Vegas viewing

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, NBC New York reports.

King died May 14 at his 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, said she knows he's just loving the send-off.

King's eldest daughter, Shirley King, said she'd host a free musical tribute event at a Las Vegas Strip venue after a public viewing of her father's body at a funeral chapel.

She booked a room at the Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas at the Linq promenade to open at 8 p.m. Friday for what she said will be live music and remembrances.

Five of King's adult children visited the blues great one last time in private at a funeral home Thursday. They said he was dressed in a signature purple and gold brocade jacket with black lapels. It wasn't one of his most ornate.