LAS VEGAS - Legendary guitarist and "King of the Blues" B.B. King has died, shortly after returning home from a hospital stay.

The 89-year-old, who suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes, had been hospitalised twice in the past month. He had announced earlier on May 1 that he was in hospice care due to poor health.

The Mississippi-born musician, born Riley B King, has more than 50 albums to his name and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Despite his ailing condition since being diagnosed with diabetes in 1990, King regularly performs an average of 100 shows a year.

He last performed on Oct 3 last year but was forced to cancel the rest of his tour after falling ill.