Luther Allison
Encyclopedia
Luther Allison was an American
blues
guitarist. He was born in Widener, Arkansas
and moved with his family, at age twelve, to Chicago
in 1951. He taught himself guitar and began listening to blues extensively. Three years later he began hanging outside blues nightclubs with the hopes of being invited to perform. He played with Howlin' Wolf
's band and backed James Cotton
.
invited Allison to the stage. Freddie King
took Allison under his wing and after King got his big record deal, Allison took over King's house band gig on Chicago's west side. He worked the club circuit throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s and recorded his first single in 1965. Allison was signed to the Delmark Records
label in 1967 and released his debut album Love Me Mama the following year. A well-received set at the 1969 Ann Arbor Blues Festival resulted in his being asked to perform there each of the next three years. He also toured nationwide and, in 1972, was signed to Motown Records
, the first and one of the few blues artists to do so. By the mid 1970s he began touring Europe and moved to France in 1977. Allison was known for his powerful concert performances, lengthy soulful guitar solos and crowd walking with his Gibson Les Paul
. Allison lived briefly during this period in Peoria Illinois, where he signed briefly with Rumble Records in Peoria Illinois which resulted in two Live Recordings "Gonna Be a Live One in Here Tonight" produced by Bill Knight and Power Wire Blues produced by George Faber and Jeffrey P. Hess. Allison played the "Bar circuit" in the USA during this period, spending 8 months per year in Europe at high profile venues, including Montreaux Jazz Festival.
Allison's manager, and European agent, Thomas Ruf founded the label Ruf Records
in 1994. Signing with Ruf Records, Allison launched a comeback in association with Alligator Records
. Alligator founder, Bruce Iglauer
, convinced Allison to return to the United States. The album Soul Fixin' Man was recorded and released in 1994, and Allison toured the U.S. and Canada. Allison won four W.C. Handy Awards in 1994. With the James Solberg Band backing him, non-stop touring and the release of Blue Streak (featuring song "Cherry Red Wine"), Allison continued to earn more Handys and gain wider recognition. Allison scored a host of Living Blues Awards and was featured on the cover pages of major blues publications.
He appeared at the 1995 San Francisco Blues Festival
.
Allison covered "You Can't Always Get What You Want
" for the 1997 Rolling Stones
' tribute album, Paint it Blue: Songs of the Rolling Stones.
In the middle of his summer of 1997 tour, Allison checked into a hospital for dizziness and loss of coordination. It was discovered that he had a tumor on his lung that had metastasized
to his brain. In and out of a coma, Allison died on August 12, 1997, five days before his 58th birthday, in Madison, Wisconsin
. His album Reckless had just been released. His son Bernard Allison
, at one time a member of his band, is now a solo recording artist.
He was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame
in 1998. In 2000, the Chicago Sun-Times
called him "The Bruce Springsteen
of the blues".
Allison is buried at Washington Memory Gardens Cemetery in Homewood, Illinois
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
guitarist. He was born in Widener, Arkansas
Widener, Arkansas
Widener is a town in St. Francis County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 335 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Widener is located at ....
and moved with his family, at age twelve, to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
in 1951. He taught himself guitar and began listening to blues extensively. Three years later he began hanging outside blues nightclubs with the hopes of being invited to perform. He played with Howlin' Wolf
Howlin' Wolf
Chester Arthur Burnett , known as Howlin' Wolf, was an influential American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player....
's band and backed James Cotton
James Cotton
James Cotton is an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, who has performed and recorded with many of the great blues artists of his time as well as with his own band.-Career:...
.
Career
His big break came in 1957 when Howlin' WolfHowlin' Wolf
Chester Arthur Burnett , known as Howlin' Wolf, was an influential American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player....
invited Allison to the stage. Freddie King
Freddie King
Freddie King , thought to have been born as Frederick Christian, originally recording as Freddy King, and nicknamed "the Texas Cannonball", was an influential African-American blues guitarist and singer. He is often mentioned as one of "the Three Kings" of electric blues guitar, along with Albert...
took Allison under his wing and after King got his big record deal, Allison took over King's house band gig on Chicago's west side. He worked the club circuit throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s and recorded his first single in 1965. Allison was signed to the Delmark Records
Delmark Records
Delmark Records is an independent American jazz and blues record label, based in Chicago since 1958. The label originated in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1953 when owner Bob Koester released a recording of the Windy City Six, a traditional jazz group, under the "Delmar" imprint.-History:Born in 1932 in...
label in 1967 and released his debut album Love Me Mama the following year. A well-received set at the 1969 Ann Arbor Blues Festival resulted in his being asked to perform there each of the next three years. He also toured nationwide and, in 1972, was signed to Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
, the first and one of the few blues artists to do so. By the mid 1970s he began touring Europe and moved to France in 1977. Allison was known for his powerful concert performances, lengthy soulful guitar solos and crowd walking with his Gibson Les Paul
Gibson Les Paul
The Gibson Les Paul was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late jazz guitarist and electronics inventor Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson...
. Allison lived briefly during this period in Peoria Illinois, where he signed briefly with Rumble Records in Peoria Illinois which resulted in two Live Recordings "Gonna Be a Live One in Here Tonight" produced by Bill Knight and Power Wire Blues produced by George Faber and Jeffrey P. Hess. Allison played the "Bar circuit" in the USA during this period, spending 8 months per year in Europe at high profile venues, including Montreaux Jazz Festival.
Allison's manager, and European agent, Thomas Ruf founded the label Ruf Records
Ruf Records
The motto of the blues label is "Where Blues Crosses Over". The company's office is located in Lindewerra, Germany. As of 2008 Ruf has produced 120 releases, sold over 1 million albums, received two Grammy nominations and ten Blues Music Award nominations....
in 1994. Signing with Ruf Records, Allison launched a comeback in association with Alligator Records
Alligator Records
Alligator Records is a Chicago-based independent blues record label founded by Bruce Iglauer in 1971.Iglauer started the label with his own savings to record and produce his favorite band Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers, whom his employer, Bob Koester of Delmark Records, declined to record...
. Alligator founder, Bruce Iglauer
Bruce Iglauer
Bruce Iglauer is the American founder and head of the independent blues record label Alligator Records in Chicago.Iglauer was born in Ann Arbor and grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Cincinnati, Ohio...
, convinced Allison to return to the United States. The album Soul Fixin' Man was recorded and released in 1994, and Allison toured the U.S. and Canada. Allison won four W.C. Handy Awards in 1994. With the James Solberg Band backing him, non-stop touring and the release of Blue Streak (featuring song "Cherry Red Wine"), Allison continued to earn more Handys and gain wider recognition. Allison scored a host of Living Blues Awards and was featured on the cover pages of major blues publications.
He appeared at the 1995 San Francisco Blues Festival
San Francisco Blues Festival
Debuting in 1973, the San Francisco Blues Festival is the longest running blues festival in the United States. Tom Mazzolini, the event's producer, founded the blues festival to educate the public about the history and evolution of the blues...
.
Allison covered "You Can't Always Get What You Want
You Can't Always Get What You Want
"You Can't Always Get What You Want" is a song by The Rolling Stones released on their 1969 album Let It Bleed. Written primarily by Mick Jagger with assistance from Keith Richards, it was named as the 100th greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone in its 2004 list of "500 Greatest Songs of All...
" for the 1997 Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
' tribute album, Paint it Blue: Songs of the Rolling Stones.
In the middle of his summer of 1997 tour, Allison checked into a hospital for dizziness and loss of coordination. It was discovered that he had a tumor on his lung that had metastasized
Metastasis
Metastasis, or metastatic disease , is the spread of a disease from one organ or part to another non-adjacent organ or part. It was previously thought that only malignant tumor cells and infections have the capacity to metastasize; however, this is being reconsidered due to new research...
to his brain. In and out of a coma, Allison died on August 12, 1997, five days before his 58th birthday, in Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
. His album Reckless had just been released. His son Bernard Allison
Bernard Allison
Bernard Allison is a blues guitarist based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota.His father, Luther Allison was a Chicago blues musician...
, at one time a member of his band, is now a solo recording artist.
He was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame
Blues Hall of Fame
The Blues Hall of Fame is a listing of people who have significantly contributed to blues music. Started in 1980 by the Blues Foundation, it honors those who have performed, recorded, or documented blues.-1980:*Big Bill Broonzy*Willie Dixon*John Lee Hooker...
in 1998. In 2000, the Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
called him "The Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
of the blues".
Allison is buried at Washington Memory Gardens Cemetery in Homewood, Illinois
Homewood, Illinois
Homewood is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 19,543 at the 2000 census. Homewood is a sister city to Homewood, Alabama.- Geography :...
.
Studio and live albums
| Year | Title | Label | Number | Notes |
| 1969 | Love Me Mama | Delmark Delmark Records Delmark Records is an independent American jazz and blues record label, based in Chicago since 1958. The label originated in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1953 when owner Bob Koester released a recording of the Windy City Six, a traditional jazz group, under the "Delmar" imprint.-History:Born in 1932 in... |
625 | |
| 1972 | Bad News Is Coming | Motown/Gordy | 964 | |
| 1974 | Luther's Blues | Motown/Gordy | 967 | |
| 1976 | Night Life | Motown/Gordy | 974 | |
| 1977 | Love Me Papa | Black & Blue Black & Blue Records Black & Blue Records is a French record label specializing in swing jazz and blues.Black & Blue was founded in 1968, and in its early years concentrated on reissuing jazz that had been previously released on American labels. The label recorded Blues and Jazz musicians both in America and France and... |
33.524 | reissued as Estudio Eldorado 524 (Brazil) and Evidence CD 26015 (U.S.) |
| 1979 | Gonna Be a Live One in Here Tonight! | Rumble | 1001 | recorded live in Peoria, Illinois on April 18–19, 1979. reissued as Red Lightnin' 0036, South Side Safari |
| 1979 | Power Wire Blues | Rumble | 1004 | part 2 of the Peoria concert. reissued 1985 as Charly Charly Records Charly Records is a British record label which specialises in reissued material.-History:Among the labels whose original releases are reissued by Charly are Vee-Jay, Sun, Immediate, BYG, Tomato, and Fania. Charly Records was founded in France in 1974 by Jean-Luc Young, who had been a promoter of... 1105 |
| 1979 | Live in Paris | Paris Album/Buda | 2-28501 | recorded in Paris, La Chapelle Des Lombards, 1979. Also issued as Ruf 1354, Free Bird 209/FLY06, Pläne 88295, Platinum 161354 |
| 1979 | Live | Blue Silver | 3001/3321 | part 2 of the 1979 Paris concert. also on Blue Sky/Buda |
| 1980 | Time | Paris Album/Buda | 2-28505 | |
| 1984 | Lets Have a Natural Ball | JSP JSP Records JSP Records is a British record label, founded in 1978 by John Stedman , releasing recordings by blues musicians such as Professor Longhair, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Witherspoon, Louisiana Red and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson. The label is based in London, England.JSP now predominantly releases remastered CDs... |
1077 | |
| 1984 | Life is a Bitch | Encore!/Melodie | 131 | Blind Pig Blind Pig Records Blind Pig Records is an American blues record label.Blind Pig was formed in 1977 in Ann Arbor, Michigan by Jerry Del Giudice, owner of the Blind Pig Cafe, and his friend Edward Chmelewski. The label is now based in San Francisco... 2287 (1987) in the U.S., retitled Serious |
| 1985 | Here I Come | Encore!/Melodie | 133 | |
| 1987 | Rich Man | Ruf Ruf Records The motto of the blues label is "Where Blues Crosses Over". The company's office is located in Lindewerra, Germany. As of 2008 Ruf has produced 120 releases, sold over 1 million albums, received two Grammy nominations and ten Blues Music Award nominations.... |
8001 | also RFR 1005, Charly CRB 1227 |
| 1991 | More from Berlin | East West East West Records East West Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group, and operates under WMG's Independent Label Group.-History:... |
LACD 1991-2 | live, 1989 |
| 1992 | Hand Me Down My Moonshine | Inak/Ruf Ruf Records The motto of the blues label is "Where Blues Crosses Over". The company's office is located in Lindewerra, Germany. As of 2008 Ruf has produced 120 releases, sold over 1 million albums, received two Grammy nominations and ten Blues Music Award nominations.... |
1047 | acoustic |
| 1994 | Soul Fixin' Man Soul Fixin' Man Soul Fixin' Man is an album by American blues guitarist Luther Allison, released in 1994 by Alligator Records. It is also known as Bad Love... |
Alligator Alligator Records Alligator Records is a Chicago-based independent blues record label founded by Bruce Iglauer in 1971.Iglauer started the label with his own savings to record and produce his favorite band Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers, whom his employer, Bob Koester of Delmark Records, declined to record... |
4820 | Ruf 1021 in Europe, retitled Bad Love |
| 1995 | Blue Streak Blue Streak (album) Blue Streak is an album by American blues guitarist Luther Allison, released in 1995 by Alligator Records. Guitar World magazine named it one of the top guitar records of 1995.-Track listing:# "All the King's Horses" – 5:36... |
Alligator Alligator Records Alligator Records is a Chicago-based independent blues record label founded by Bruce Iglauer in 1971.Iglauer started the label with his own savings to record and produce his favorite band Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers, whom his employer, Bob Koester of Delmark Records, declined to record... |
4834 | Ruf 7712 in Europe |
| 1996 | Live ’89: Let's Try It Again | Ruf Ruf Records The motto of the blues label is "Where Blues Crosses Over". The company's office is located in Lindewerra, Germany. As of 2008 Ruf has produced 120 releases, sold over 1 million albums, received two Grammy nominations and ten Blues Music Award nominations.... |
1028 | recorded in Berlin, May 1989 |
| 1996 | Live in Montreux - Where Have You Been? | Ruf Ruf Records The motto of the blues label is "Where Blues Crosses Over". The company's office is located in Lindewerra, Germany. As of 2008 Ruf has produced 120 releases, sold over 1 million albums, received two Grammy nominations and ten Blues Music Award nominations.... |
1008 | recorded 1976-1994 |
| 1997 | Reckless Reckless (Luther Allison album) Reckless is an album by American blues guitarist Luther Allison, released in 1997.-Track listing:# "Low Down and Dirty" – 3:45# "You Can Run but You Can't Hide" – 3:32# "Living in the House of the Blues" – 5:32... |
Alligator Alligator Records Alligator Records is a Chicago-based independent blues record label founded by Bruce Iglauer in 1971.Iglauer started the label with his own savings to record and produce his favorite band Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers, whom his employer, Bob Koester of Delmark Records, declined to record... |
4849 | Ruf 1012 in Europe |
| 1999 | Live in Chicago | Alligator Alligator Records Alligator Records is a Chicago-based independent blues record label founded by Bruce Iglauer in 1971.Iglauer started the label with his own savings to record and produce his favorite band Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers, whom his employer, Bob Koester of Delmark Records, declined to record... |
4869 | Ruf 1042 in Europe, recorded 1995-97, 2-disc set |
| 1999 | Standing at the Crossroad | Black & Blue Black & Blue Records Black & Blue Records is a French record label specializing in swing jazz and blues.Black & Blue was founded in 1968, and in its early years concentrated on reissuing jazz that had been previously released on American labels. The label recorded Blues and Jazz musicians both in America and France and... |
421.1 | recorded 1977 in Paris. also Night & Day 210, Blues Reference |
| 2002 | Pay It Forward | Ruf Ruf Records The motto of the blues label is "Where Blues Crosses Over". The company's office is located in Lindewerra, Germany. As of 2008 Ruf has produced 120 releases, sold over 1 million albums, received two Grammy nominations and ten Blues Music Award nominations.... |
1060 | recorded 1984-1994 |
| 2007 | Underground | Ruf Ruf Records The motto of the blues label is "Where Blues Crosses Over". The company's office is located in Lindewerra, Germany. As of 2008 Ruf has produced 120 releases, sold over 1 million albums, received two Grammy nominations and ten Blues Music Award nominations.... |
1132 | recorded c. 1968 |
| 2009 | Songs from the Road | Ruf Ruf Records The motto of the blues label is "Where Blues Crosses Over". The company's office is located in Lindewerra, Germany. As of 2008 Ruf has produced 120 releases, sold over 1 million albums, received two Grammy nominations and ten Blues Music Award nominations.... |
1157 | CD+DVD recorded in Montreal, 1997 |
Compilations
| Year | Title | Label | Number | Notes |
| 1995 | Sweet Home Chicago | Charly Charly Records Charly Records is a British record label which specialises in reissued material.-History:Among the labels whose original releases are reissued by Charly are Vee-Jay, Sun, Immediate, BYG, Tomato, and Fania. Charly Records was founded in France in 1974 by Jean-Luc Young, who had been a promoter of... |
BM-37 | |
| 1996 | The Motown Years, 1972-1976 | Motown/Universal | ||
Video
| Year | Title | Label | Number | Notes |
| 1998 | Live In Paradise | Ruf Ruf Records The motto of the blues label is "Where Blues Crosses Over". The company's office is located in Lindewerra, Germany. As of 2008 Ruf has produced 120 releases, sold over 1 million albums, received two Grammy nominations and ten Blues Music Award nominations.... |
VHS | recorded on La Reunion Island, April 1997. also DVD (2001) |
| 2009 | Songs from the Road | Ruf Ruf Records The motto of the blues label is "Where Blues Crosses Over". The company's office is located in Lindewerra, Germany. As of 2008 Ruf has produced 120 releases, sold over 1 million albums, received two Grammy nominations and ten Blues Music Award nominations.... |
1157 | CD+DVD recorded in Montreal, 1997 |
See also
- List of blues musicians
- List of electric blues musicians
- List of Chicago blues musicians
- List of guitarists by genre
- List of notable brain tumor patients