Handsomely garbed in a silver dinner jacket, the 84-year-old King, backed by his fabulous band of eight, the BB King Blues Band, led by trumpeter James Bolden, rocked the jam-packed Peace Concert Hall on Saturday night.

Always a first-class ham, the King of the Blues wasted no time getting down to chord work — but not before he chatted up the lovers in the audience, dedicating “I Need You So” to all “who were lovers or wish they were.” He made loud smooching noises into the microphone to suggest to those who were so inclined to kiss the person they came with. The audience was more than happy to oblige.

King loves to talk; his lengthy discourse (between songs) moved from chiding today’s lyricists for not honoring “the ladies,” to whom he dedicated “You Are My Sunshine,” to good-naturedly ribbing his musicians for not toeing the line.

Love and bonhomie reigned throughout the two-hour concert, as the veteran performer traded licks, riffs, slides and vibratos with his four pedal-to-the-metal horn players, drummer, keyboardist and two guitarists. They grooved on “Let the Good Times Roll,” “Key to the Highway,” “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean,” “Rock Me Baby” and King’s signature number, “The Thrill Is Gone.”