Slash & Myles Kennedy Cover When Love Comes to Town

🎵 A Tribute Collaboration for the Ages

The Slash Myles Kennedy cover of “When Love Comes to Town” represents more than just another tribute recording. It’s a testament to B.B. King’s enduring influence across multiple generations and musical genres. This classic rock news dropped in December 2025, sending waves of excitement through the blues and rock communities alike.

Producer Josh Smith carefully selected this track for the tribute album. He explains the decision perfectly. Smith states they wanted to span B.B.’s entire career breadth. The collaboration turned into a standout performance that exceeded all expectations.

Myles Kennedy takes on Bono’s vocal parts with remarkable authenticity. His powerful voice brings fresh energy to the rock elements. Meanwhile, Shemekia Copeland delivers B.B. King’s parts with stunning reverence. She captures the bluesman’s soulful essence while adding her own Grammy-nominated vocal prowess to the mix.

Slash’s guitar work on the track showcases his deep blues roots. The Guns N’ Roses legend has always acknowledged B.B. King’s massive influence on his playing style. This collaboration allowed him to pay proper homage to one of his greatest inspirations through the language he knows best.

🎤 B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 Project

Joe Bonamassa spearheaded this massive undertaking to honor B.B. King’s 100th birthday. The blues rocker partnered with producer Josh Smith to create something truly special. Together, they assembled an all-star lineup featuring classic rock and blues legends spanning multiple generations.

The album features 32 tracks released in monthly installments. It began on what would have been B.B. King’s 100th birthday in September 2025. The full collection arrives February 6, 2026, in digital, double CD, and triple vinyl formats through KTBA Records.

Bonamassa’s vision for Blues Summit 100 extends beyond simple covers. Each artist was matched with material reflecting their personal connection to King’s music. The result creates an intergenerational celebration of the King of Blues’ extraordinary legacy.

The project includes contributions from an incredible roster. Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton with Chaka Khan, Marcus King, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, and Larkin Poe all participate. Warren Haynes, Jimmie Vaughan, Keb’ Mo’, and Gary Clark Jr. round out this stellar lineup of performers.

Bonamassa first opened for B.B. King at just 12 years old. The blues titan became a mentor to the young guitarist. This tribute represents Bonamassa’s mission to fulfill King’s wish to keep the blues alive for future generations.

🎸 Slash and Myles Kennedy’s Musical Legacy

Slash and Myles Kennedy have built an impressive partnership through Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators. The duo released their most recent album, “4,” back in 2022. Fans eagerly anticipate their next studio record, which is currently in the works.

The iconic top-hatted guitarist has always maintained deep blues roots. His distinctive Les Paul tone draws heavily from B.B. King’s influence. Participating in Blues Summit 100 allowed Slash to pay tribute to one of his primary inspirations.

Kennedy brings his powerful vocal range to every collaboration. His ability to channel Bono’s passionate delivery while maintaining his own identity shows remarkable artistry. The Alter Bridge frontman continues building his reputation as one of rock’s finest contemporary vocalists.

Their chemistry extends beyond studio recordings. The Conspirators deliver electrifying live performances that showcase their touring prowess. This collaboration with Shemekia Copeland adds another chapter to their growing legacy of musical excellence.

👑 Shemekia Copeland: The New Queen of Blues

Shemekia Copeland brings undeniable authority to B.B. King’s vocal parts. The multi-Grammy nominated singer earned the title “New Queen of the Blues” from Koko Taylor’s daughter. Her powerful voice and commanding stage presence make her the perfect choice for this tribute.

Born in Harlem in 1979, Copeland grew up surrounded by blues royalty. Her father, Johnny Copeland, was an acclaimed blues guitarist. She first performed with him at New York’s Cotton Club when she was just eight years old.

Her debut album “Turn the Heat Up” arrived in 1998 when she was only 18. The Alligator Records release instantly established her as a blues powerhouse. Critics from The New York Times to CNN praised her remarkable talent and star power.

Copeland’s latest album “Blame It on Eve” earned three Grammy nominations in 2024. The Washington Post calls her “the greatest blues singer of her generation.” The Chicago Tribune declares her “the greatest female blues vocalist working today.”

She’s scheduled to perform on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on December 31, 2025. This ABC-TV appearance represents the largest audience of her career. Nearly 18 million viewers will witness her electrifying performance alongside Chance The Rapper in Chicago.

🎸 ESSENTIAL ALBUMS & MUSIC 🎸

Discover the legendary sounds that define this historic collaboration!

🎵 B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100

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The definitive tribute to the King of Blues featuring 32 incredible tracks.

Includes Slash & Myles Kennedy’s cover of “When Love Comes to Town” plus collaborations with Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr., and more legendary artists.

This landmark collection celebrates B.B. King’s 100th birthday with performances spanning multiple generations of blues and rock excellence.

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🎧 B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100

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Stream this historic tribute album featuring the Slash Myles Kennedy cover and 31 other incredible performances.

Experience the full power of this centennial celebration honoring the legendary B.B. King’s enduring musical legacy.

Perfect for discovering new interpretations of blues classics by today’s greatest artists.

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🎤 When Love Comes To Town

U2 WITH B.B. KING – ORIGINAL 1989 VERSION

The legendary original collaboration between U2 and B.B. King from the Rattle and Hum era.

This 80s classic rock masterpiece inspired the Slash Myles Kennedy cover on Blues Summit 100.

Experience the timeless magic that brought rock and blues together in perfect harmony.

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🎸 When Love Comes To Town

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Stream the iconic original performance that showcases B.B. King’s incredible vocal and guitar mastery.

This timeless classic demonstrates why the King of Blues influenced generations of musicians including Slash and countless others.

Perfect for understanding the blues foundation of modern classic rock.

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📜 The Original Song’s Legendary History

U2 and B.B. King recorded “When Love Comes to Town” during the legendary Rattle and Hum sessions. The 1988 collaboration took place at the historic Sun Studio in Memphis. This same studio witnessed Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis creating rock and roll history.

The track appeared on U2’s 1988 album and film Rattle and Hum. Bono wrote the lyrics specifically for King to sing. The Irish rock band wanted to pay tribute to American roots music and blues traditions.

B.B. King’s distinctive Lucille guitar tone shines throughout the original recording. His vibrato and bending techniques became instantly recognizable signatures. The song showcased both his incredible guitar work and his powerful vocal abilities.

The collaboration introduced B.B. King to a whole new generation of rock fans. U2’s massive popularity helped expose blues music to audiences who might never have discovered it otherwise. This cross-generational appeal makes it perfect for the Blues Summit 100 tribute project.

🎧 Producer Josh Smith’s Vision

Grammy-nominated producer Josh Smith co-produced Blues Summit 100 alongside Joe Bonamassa. His careful curation ensured each artist received material matching their personal style. Smith’s attention to detail helped create something truly special for B.B. King’s centennial.

Smith explains they knew early on they wanted this U2 song included. The goal was spanning the breadth of B.B.’s entire career. From his early blues recordings through his later collaborations with rock artists, the tribute covers it all.

The producer describes the Slash Myles Kennedy cover as “such a standout.” Smith matched each artist with songs reflecting their personal connection to King’s music. This thoughtful approach resulted in performances filled with genuine emotion and respect.

Bonamassa and Smith spent nine months crafting this tribute. They secured participation from the B.B. King Estate and The B.B. King Music Company. The blessing from King’s family added authenticity and meaning to the entire project.

The production team gave tracks like “The Thrill Is Gone” full treatment with real strings and horns. This commitment to quality honors B.B. King’s original recordings. Smith and Bonamassa understood they only had one shot to do this correctly.

💭 Final Thoughts on This Historic Collaboration

The Slash Myles Kennedy cover of “When Love Comes to Town” stands as a powerful testament to musical legacy. This collaboration brings together classic rock guitar mastery, powerhouse vocals, and blues tradition. It represents everything B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 aims to accomplish.

Shemekia Copeland’s participation adds crucial authenticity to the recording. Her Grammy-nominated vocals and deep blues roots make her the perfect choice. She honors B.B. King’s legacy while bringing her own remarkable talent to the performance.

This tribute keeps B.B. King’s final wish alive. He wanted musicians to do whatever they could to keep the blues thriving. Bonamassa describes this album as giving a B12 shot to King’s legacy and to blues music itself.

The full B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 album releases February 6, 2026. It will be available in digital download, double CD, and triple vinyl LP formats. Pre-orders are available now through various retailers and streaming platforms.

This collaboration proves that classic rock and blues continue evolving while honoring tradition. When legends like Slash, Myles Kennedy, and Shemekia Copeland unite, magic happens. Their cover of “When Love Comes to Town” will introduce B.B. King’s brilliance to yet another generation of music lovers.