Watch Eric Clapton's Moving Video Tribute To B.B. King, His Late Friend And Inspiration

"I would encourage you to go out and find an album called B.B. King Live at the Regal, which is where it all really started for me as a young player."

Blues god B.B. King died in his sleep Friday at the age of 89.

Rogelio V. Solis / AP

According to his attorney, Brent Bryson, King died at 9:40 a.m. in his Las Vegas home, as reported by the Associated Press.

Most fans know that blues legend Eric Clapton and King were very good friends. Clapton posted the following video on his Facebook page, paying respects and saying thanks to his friend today:

Facebook: video.php

Here's the full transcript of his message:

Hi, this is Eric Clapton here. I just want to express my sadness and to say thank you to my dear friend B.B. King. I want to thank him for all the inspiration and encouragement he gave me as a player over the years, and for the friendship that we enjoyed.

Umm... There's not a lot left to say because this music is almost a thing of the past now, and there are not many left to play in the pure way that B.B. did. He was a beacon for all of us who loved this kind of music, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart.

So if you're not familiar with his work, I would encourage you to go out and find and album called B.B. King: Live at the Regal, which is where it really started for me as a young player.

So, thanks for letting me share this, and thanks very much. Good-bye.

"If you're not familiar with his work, I would encourage you to go out and find an album called B.B. King: Live at the Regal, which is where it all really started for me as a young player," Clapton said in the video.

Duck / Reprise / Via youtube.com