I . the King
a popular nickname for the singer Elvis Presley who was named the King of Rock and Roll in the 1950s.
II . B B King
( Riley B King 1925– )
an American blues singer who plays the guitar. His early hits included Three O’Clock Blues (1950). He was an important influence on rock and roll music. He won Emmy awards for The Thrill is Gone (1970) and the album Blues ’n’ Jazz (1983). In 1997 he recorded the album Deuces Wild with the Rolling Stones , Eric Clapton , Willie Nelson and others and in 2000 made Riding with the King with Clapton.
III . Billie Jean King
(1943– )
a US tennis player considered as one of the greatest women athletes ever. She won the Women’s Singles Championship at Wimbledon six times (1966–8, 1972–3 and 1975) and 20 Wimbledon championships in all, more than any other player. She also won the US Open (2) four times (1967, 1971–2 and 1974). King is a strong supporter of women’s interests in tennis and other sports.
IV . Larry King
(1933– )
a US broadcaster who presents Larry King Live , a television talk show on CNN . His guests include important politicians and other well-known people in the news.
V . Martin Luther King
(1929–68)
the most important leader of the US civil rights movement . King was an African-American Baptist minister who led a series of peaceful campaigns against segregation in the southern states. In 1957 he established the Southern Christian Leadership Conference . In 1963 he led about 250 000 people on a protest march to Washington, DC, where he made his famous ‘I have a dream’ speech at the Lincoln Memorial . He was awarded the Nobel Prize for peace in 1964. He was murdered four years later in Memphis , Tennessee , by Earl Ray. King’s wife, Coretta Scott King (1927– ) has continued his work. His birthday, 15 January, is an official holiday in many states.
VI . Rodney King
(1966– )
an African American who was severely beaten in 1991 by Los Angeles police officers, an incident which led to America’s worst race riots. The police stopped King for driving too fast and then hit and kicked him repeatedly. A person on the street made a video of the attack, and four of the police officers were put on trial. When they were judged innocent, African Americans reacted with violence in Los Angeles for four days, during which 52 people were killed and more than 600 buildings were burned. The police officers were later sent to prison. Many Americans are still angry about the way King was treated.
VII . Stephen King
(1947– )
a very popular US writer, best known for his horror novels. About 20 of his books have been filmed, including Carrie (1974), The Shining (1977), Misery (1987) and The Shawshank Redemption (1994). He writes some of his books under the name Richard Bachman. He has also written original films, directed one and acted in minor roles.