BB King has died in his home in Las Vegas at the age of 89. Photograph: Ricky Fitchett/Zuma Press/Corbis

Blues legend BB King has died in Las Vegas at the age of 89, his lawyer has said.

Brent Bryson told the Associated Press King died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday at his home in Las Vegas. 

The one-time farmhand brought new fans to the blues and influenced a generation of musicians with his heartfelt vocals and soaring guitar on songs such as The Thrill Is Gone. 

King sold millions of records worldwide and was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

He played a Gibson guitar he affectionately called Lucille and was a mentor to scores of guitarists including Eric Clapton.

He was awarded his 15th Grammy in 2009 in the traditional blues album category for One Kind Favor.