Jerry Lee Lewis devastated by band member's murder

Music legend Jerry Lee Lewis is mourning the loss of his bass player, who was murdered early Sunday morning in Southeast Memphis. B.B. Cunningham was shot to death while working as a security guard at the Cherry Crest Apartments.

Lewis’ longtime manager, J.W. Whitten, says Lewis is devastated and says he lost a friend and companion in the music industry. Cunningham began playing for The Jerry Lee Lewis Band in 1997. Cunningham, who was also a singer and keyboardist, began his music career performing on his fathers record label, ‘Cover Records,’ in Memphis. He found fame in 1967 when he wrote and recorded the hit song, ‘Let It All Hang Out,’ with the Hombres. Jon Hornyak, the executive director of The Recording Academy in Memphis, played in bands with Cunningham and spent time with him in the studio. He says it’s hard for the music community to see a beloved figure go out that way, “Part of it is musicians get older and there are not enough gigs to make a living just as a musician, so you have to go out and augment your income in some way, and unfortunately at that place, at that point in time it was not the right place to be.” 

22-year-old Dock Britt was arrested late Sunday night and charged with First Degree Murder and Attempted First Degree Murder. Right now, he’s only facing murder charges for B.B. Cunningham’s death. He is not charged with the murder of the 16-year-old who also died that night. Cunningham is survived by a wife and son.

Source: Melissa Moon - WREG

Dock Britt's mom denies her son killed BB Cunningham

Dock Britt is charged with one count of first degree murder and one count of attempted murder for the death of 70-year-old musician B.B. Cunningham.Detectives said they found the bodies of Cunningham and 16-year-old Henry White in the courtyard of the Cherry Crest Apartments. According to police, Britt was one of two men who shot at a female security guard at an apartment complex near Cherry Road and Kimball Avenue.They say Britt ran across the street and in to the Cherry Gate apartment complex.Los Hombres lead singer and Jerry Lee Lewis band member B.B. Cunningham, who was also working as a security guard at the time, went after the two shooters.

Britt with his grandmother 

Police said they are still awaiting the results to determine which bullet killed the teen. Britt's mother denies her son killed anyone. She would not do a full interview with Action News 5. "I'm already going through enough. And I'd appreciate if you guys just back off. I can tell you that he is innocent is all," she said. Britt is due back in court in one week. He is locked up in the Shelby County Jail without bond.

B.B. Cunningham's widow spent the day making funeral arrangements. Investigators are still searching for a second suspect. If you have any information please call Crime Stoppers at (901) 528-CASH.

BIM: We found these disturbing photos and more on line showing two sides of the suspect - one who loved his family, the other headed down the wrong path in life. You're seeing these photos for the first time exclusively here on BackinMemphis.

Copyright 2012 WMC-TV - Back in Memphis

George Klein remembers BB Cunningham

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (FOX13) - Satirically penned by Memphis songwriter and producer B.B. Cunningham, 1967's "Let It All Hang Out" not only rhythmically noted the pleasures of regaling in your favorite vices can often bring, it served as a personal anthem for a man who lived life to its fullest as a musician, songwriter and producer.

Family, admirers and long time friends, such as legendary, Memphis disc jockey, George Klein, who often called on Cunningham's talents during the 40 years of his annually hosted Charity Christmas Concert, reflected on a man whose shooting death Sunday morning in Southeast Memphis left more than a musical void. "I you called him, you'd say, Hey, we got a charity affair here B.B..Could you get the Hombres together and bring it one more time? He said, sure. There was no check my calendar," recalls Klein.

Memphis Police announced the arrest on Monday of Dock Cedric Britt, accused of shooting Cunningham and wounding security guard Theresa Sanders. A police affidavit says the 70-year-old Cunningham was on security duty next door to the Cherry Crest Apartments and went to investigate when he heard a shot.

When police arrived Cunningham and a 16-year-old boy were both dead from gunshots wounds. A second suspect was still at large as of Monday afternoon. No bond was set for Britt. On Sunday Cunningham's granddaughter mourned his loss. Though his signature song "Let It All Hang Out" was the chart-topper of his career as a vocal artist, his work as a producer and songwriter was prolific. So, too were the friendships B.B. Cunningham made in the Memphis music community. "B.B. Cunningham was a great, great talent and Memphis will miss him," says Klein.

My Fox Memphis

More details on the shooting death of BB Cunningham

Dock Britt has been arrested and charged with First Degree Murder.On Sunday, October 14, 2012 at approximately 2:12 a.m., officers received a Shooting call to 1460 Cherry Road.Upon arriving on the scene, officers located two victims that had suffered from an apparent gunshot wound. Victim#1, 70-year-old Blake Cunningham and 16-year-old Henry White were both pronounced deceased on the scene.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Cunningham was working in a nearby apartment complex as a uniformed security guard when two unknown suspects fired shots at a second security guard which was also working at the nearby apartment complex. After the shots were fired, Cunningham pursued the suspects across the street into the rear of the Cherry Crest Apartments. Additional shots were heard moments later by the second security guard.

After checking the area, both Cunningham and White were found dead lying in the courtyard. The second suspect, which fled the scene after the shooting, was later identified as 22-year-old Dock Britt. Britt was arrested and charged with Criminal Attempt Felony to wit First Degree Murder and First Degree Murder. At this time, this investigation is ongoing. Dock Cedric Britt, accused of shooting to death Blake Cunningham and wounding security guard Theresa Sanders, appeared before a judge today. No bond set, Britt is due back in court October 22nd with an attorney. 

MY FOX MEMPHIS

BIM: Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims.

Dock Britt charged with murder of BB Cunningham

Memphis Police have arrested a suspect in a double shooting in East Memphis that left a well-known Memphis musician and a 16-year-old dead.

22-year-old Dock Britt was arrested late Sunday night and charged with First Degree Murder and Attempted First Degree Murder. Right now, he's only facing murder charges for B.B. Cunningham's death. He is not charged with the murder of the 16-year-old.

The shooting happened early Sunday morning at the Cherrycrest Apartments on Cherry Rd. near Kimball Ave.

"The whole area was taped off. I don't know what was going on," said resident Irran Davis.
Investigators say 70-year-old Memphis musician B.B. Cunningham was working as a security guard when he came out to the courtyard to help after he heard gun shots sound off.

BIM: Details on the suspect are slowly coming in to us exclusively. He worked at McDonald's and enjoyed smoking pot. He often bragged about being high at work. He also often claimed to have a lot on his mind and about leaving Memphis.

WREG Memphis - Back in Memphis

BB Cunningham killed in Memphis

WMC-TV – Memphis police are looking for clues in what led to a shooting that left two people dead.

One of the victims was a teenager, another well known Memphis musician.

The shooting happened at the Cherry Crest Apartments in East Memphis.

Resident Judy Baladez told our crew they heard lots of shots.

"I just like kind of stayed down in my bed and laid quiet and still because I didn't know if more shooting was going to continue," said Baladez. "Like, very loud, like they were very close by they didn't sound like they were being shot in the air. They sounded close by like they were being shot at somebody," she added.

A 70-year-old security guard and 16-year-old male were killed in the gunfire. You can still see places where there were pools of blood.

Crime Scene tape illustrates the spot where the men were shot. What investigators want to know is: what happened?

While our crews were on the scene, a woman carrying a torn piece of crime scene tape introduced herself to us as the daughter-in-law of the older man who was killed.

She says his name is B.B. Cunningham, and while he was moonlighting as a security guard, his real job is as bass player for entertainer Jerry Lee Lewis.

"I don't know much about him but he was always nice to me we always talked a lot and sometimes he helped me out when I was having trouble with my vehicle," said Baladez.

The daughter-in-law says she believed that her father-in-law and the 16-year-old got into some sort of shootout.

The younger man who was shot has not been identified.

In the mid 60's BB Cunningham was a member of the Memphis group "The Hombres" and co wrote the groups hit song "Let It Out, Let it All Hang Out".

Stay with Action News 5 for the latest on this developing story.

Copyright 2012 WMC-TV. All rights reserved.

BB Cunningham has been murdered

BB & Keith Richards

Memphis musician B.B. Cunningham, 70, a member of Jerry Lee Lewis' band, was shot in Southeast Memphis early Sunday morning, family members confirm.

"I can't believe that that's the way he went out because of ... because of some teenager that wanted to rob a store," says his granddaughter Maria Cunningham.

Memphis police say they are investigating the shooting deaths of a 16-year-old male and a 70-year-old male security guard at the complex; MPD says they have not positively identified the victims at this time.

Officers responded to the call at approximately 2:12 a.m. at the Cherrycrest Apartments where they found the bodies in the courtyard of the complex. MPD says both victims suffered apparent gunshot wounds.

"It was devastating at first but the more we think about it, the more reality kind of hits us and it hurts. It hurts a lot," says Maria. "He was a legend. He really was. Memphis lost a really great person."

The preliminary investigation reveals that the security guard heard gunfire coming from the Cherrycrest Apartments. MPS says he responded to the gunfire and was then shot.

Exact details surrounding this incident are unknown at this point. This remains an ongoing investigation.

No arrests have been made.

My Fox Memphis

BIM: Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of BB Cunningham & the young man whose name has yet to be released.