The magic of massive late-nineties charity concerts remains unparalleled, perfectly embodied by the Pavarotti & Friends event on June 1, 1999, in Modena, Italy. Held at Parco Novi Sad, the historic concert raised an incredible $1 million for War Child programs assisting young refugees in Guatemala and Kosovo. The night delivered an unexpected but brilliant cross-cultural duet, beautifully bridging American Delta blues and Italian pop-soul. Italian rock-blues star Zucchero paired with the legendary King of the Blues, B.B. King, to perform “Hey Man,” a song originally co-written with Gino Paoli for Zucchero’s seminal 1987 breakthrough album, Blue’s.
The musical contrast of the legendary performance was truly mesmerizing. B.B. King masterfully traded gruff, soulful vocals with Zucchero while coaxing sweet vibratos out of his iconic Gibson ES-355 guitar, affectionately named “Lucille.” This intimate blues exchange was improved by a lush, majestic backdrop provided by the Orchestra Sinfonica Italiana, beautifully conducted by José Molina. Giving the sweeping arrangement a profound rhythmic heartbeat was a stellar rhythm section comprised of world-class session players. The legendary Pino Palladino anchored the track on bass, locking in flawlessly with the impeccable drum groove of Shawn Pelton.
Decades later, the emotional legacy of this stirring duet continues to deeply land with audiences across the globe. The powerful live performance effortlessly transcends cultural and language barriers, moving listeners to their very core. One emotional fan recalled the profound impact of the rendition, simply remarking: “SO HEART-FELT, made me cry!” The raw authenticity of the delivery even overshadowed minor technical flaws during the broadcast. As one observant viewer noted: “Despite the feedback, emotion blooms and there’s no way not to applaud these two music monsters.”
King truly dominated the 1999 benefit concert, delivering a solo rendition of “Let the Good Times Roll,” a duet of “The Thrill Is Gone” with Pavarotti, and shining in the “We Are The World” finale. While Zucchero famously performed “Hey Man” alongside Eric Clapton at the Royal Albert Hall, many fans in The Music Man community still celebrate this 1999 version with King for its unmatched, authentic emotional grit. Ultimately, this legendary crossover collaboration stands as proof of how King’s soulful presence and undeniable mastery of the blues beautifully improves every single stage he steps on. Experience another legendary cross-genre collaboration from the same 1999 benefit concert as the King of Blues joins forces with the master of opera.
Fortunately, this breathtaking piece of musical history was officially preserved for future generations to experience. The unforgettable duet was released on the official Pavarotti & Friends live charity album in September 1999, with the concert also preserved on video/DVD. It brought the magic of the Modena concert into the living rooms of millions, continuing to raise crucial awareness for the cause. Recognizing the sheer brilliance of the collaboration, Zucchero later revisited the partnership on his celebrated 2004 collaborative compilation album, Zu & Co, with “Hey Man – Sing A Song” featuring B.B. King, cementing its status as one of his most important and beloved international performances.
The enduring reverence for these two giants is evident in the passionate responses from music lovers worldwide. Fans consistently marvel at the rare teamwork shared between the Italian superstar and the American blues pioneer. Celebrating the historic collaboration, one commenter passionately declared it a “Unique, FANTASTICAL duet!!!!” Above all, King’s majestic aura commands ultimate respect from the global audience. Offering the highest praise possible for the unforgettable performance, another dedicated fan stated: “But the way Riley King pulls it off, I am on my knees, my lowest bow to the bluesman!”