Luther Allison facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Luther Allison
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Allison performing at the 1996 Riverwalk
Blues Festival |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Luther Sylvester Allison |
| Born | August 18, 1939 Widener, Arkansas, United States |
| Died | August 12, 1997 (aged 57) Madison, Wisconsin, United States |
| Genres | Blues, Chicago blues, electric blues |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1957–1997 |
| Labels | Delmark, Motown, Ruf, Alligator, Rumble, Blind Pig |
| Associated acts | Howlin' Wolf, Freddie King, James Cotton |
Luther Allison (born August 17, 1939 – died August 12, 1997) was a famous American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was known for his powerful live shows and amazing guitar playing. Many people called him "the Jimi Hendrix of blues guitar" because of his exciting style.
Contents
Discovering the Blues
Early Life and Music
Luther Sylvester Allison was born on August 18, 1939, in Widener, Arkansas. He was one of 15 children in his family. When he was 12, his family moved to Chicago to find better opportunities.
Many of Luther's brothers and sisters sang in a gospel music group called the Southern Travellers. His older brother, Ollie, started playing guitar in Chicago's busy blues music scene. Luther wanted to be like his brother, so he began to teach himself how to play the guitar too. By the time he was a teenager, Luther was good enough to play with his brother's band at local clubs.
Starting His Career
From 1954, Luther Allison often played with his brother's band, the Ollie Lee Allison Band. By 1957, he had formed his own band with Ollie and another brother, Grant Allison. They first called themselves The Rolling Stones, but later changed their name to The Four Jivers. They played at many clubs in Chicago.
Luther's big chance came in 1957 when the famous blues musician Howlin' Wolf invited him to play on stage. That same year, he also worked with Jimmy Dawkins in local clubs. Another blues legend, Freddie King, helped Luther learn and grow as a musician. When Freddie King got a record deal, Luther took over his spot as the house band guitarist at a club on Chicago's West Side.
Luther played in many clubs throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s. He even lived in California for a year, where he played with other blues artists.
Becoming a Blues Star
First Recordings and Tours
Luther Allison recorded his first song in 1965. In 1967, he signed a contract with Delmark Records. His first album, Love Me Mama, came out the next year. He played a very popular show at the 1969 Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival. Because of this, he was asked to play there for the next three years. He started touring all over the United States.
In 1972, Luther signed with Motown Records, which was unusual because Motown mostly focused on soul and R&B music, not blues. In the mid-1970s, he began touring in Europe. He liked it so much that he moved to France in 1977.
Live Performances and Comeback
Luther Allison was famous for his exciting live concerts. He would play long, soulful guitar solos and even walk through the crowd with his Gibson Les Paul guitar. He spent about eight months of the year playing in Europe at big music events, like the Montreux Jazz Festival. In 1992, he performed with the French rock star Johnny Hallyday in 18 shows in Paris.
In 1994, Luther's manager, Thomas Ruf, started Ruf Records. Luther signed with this new label and also worked with Alligator Records. The founder of Alligator Records, Bruce Iglauer, convinced Luther to come back to the United States. His album Soul Fixin' Man was released in 1994, and Luther toured the U.S. and Canada. He won four W. C. Handy Awards that year, which are very important awards in blues music.
With his band, the James Solberg Band, Luther kept touring a lot. His album Blue Streak, which included the popular song "Cherry Red Wine," helped him win more awards and become even more famous. He also won several Living Blues Awards and was featured on the covers of blues magazines.
Legacy and Influence
Later Years and Passing
In the summer of 1997, while on tour, Luther Allison became dizzy and had trouble moving. On July 10, 1997, he went to the hospital. Doctors found a tumor on his lung that had spread to his brain. He started treatment, but sadly, Luther Allison passed away on August 12, 1997. He was just five days shy of his 58th birthday. His last album, Reckless, had been released only five months before.
Luther's son, Bernard Allison, was once a member of his father's band. Bernard is now a successful solo musician himself. He was inspired by his father's love for all kinds of music.
Lasting Impact
In 1998, Luther Allison was added to the Blues Hall of Fame, which is a great honor. In 2000, the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper called him "the Bruce Springsteen of the blues," meaning he was a very powerful and popular performer. Luther Allison greatly influenced many young blues guitarists, like Chris Beard and Reggie Sears.
Luther Allison is buried at Washington Memory Gardens Cemetery in Homewood, Illinois.
Images for kids
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Allison performing at the 1996 Riverwalk Blues Festival
See also
- List of blues musicians
- List of Chicago blues musicians
- List of electric blues musicians
- List of guitarists by genre
