He was born in Widener, Arkansas and moved with his family, at age 13, to Chicago, Illinois in 1952. He had taught himself guitar while in Arkansas and began listening to blues extensively. Three years later he began hanging outside blues clubs with the hopes of being invited to perform. He played with Howlin' Wolf's band and backed up James Cotton. His big break came in 1957 when Muddy Waters invited Allison to the stage. He worked the club circut throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s and recorded his first single in 1965. Allison was signed to the Delmark Records label in fall 1967 and the following year his debut album Love Me Mama was released. He performed a stellar, show stopping, set at the 1969 Ann Arbor Blues Festival and was invited to the next three consecutive festivals. He also toured nation-wide and, in 1972, was signed to Motown Records, one of the few blues artists to do so. By the mid 1970s he began touring Europe, enjoyed the warm reception by the crowds and moved to France in 1977. He wouldn't return to the United States for another 15 years. Allison was known for his strong showmanship, ten minute long guitar solos and crowd walking with an extra long cord attached to his Gibson Les Paul.
Luther Allison's manager and European agent Thomas Ruf founded the label Ruf Records in 1994. Since signing with Ruf Records, Allison launched a major comeback in association with Alligator Records. Alligator Records founder, Bruce Iglauer, convinced Allison to return to the States. The album Soul Fixin' Man was recorded and released in 1994. Luther toured the US and Canada thoroughly and his fan base grew to his mind-blowing performances. Both Allison and Soul Fixin' Man won four WC 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 Handy's and gain wider recognition. Allison scored a host of Living Blues Awards and was featured on the cover pages of major Blues publications. In the middle of his summer of '97 tour, Allison checked into a hospital for chest pains and breathing problems. Unfortunately, it was discovered that he had a tumor on his lung that was about to metastasize to his spine. In and out of a coma, Luther Allison passed away on August 12, 1997, five days before his 58th birthday. His album Reckless had just been released. Not only did he leave his legacy to never be forgotten.
I'll always be grateful for all these years we spent together; on stage, on a tennis court, everywhere! LOVE. Here is a picture of some good time spent at some friend'house!!!
Thanks for the friendship! Keep in mind while on the road: The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side.
Merci pour l'ajout, LUTHER ALLISON restera un trés grand Bluesman qui mélangeait avec brio , le Blues , la Soul, le R'n'B,le funk et le Rock . De plus il était un trés bon showman . Merci pour ta musique . Cordialement , Vincent
From heaven above arrives a fascination, It..s a personal, glory innovation To be honest, thankfull and true - Holy night, I trust in you, cause you give freedom to everyone, You spend much love and also fun. I treasure Christmas through the years, It..s a magic time, which disappears. But it comes back again and again, I..m indeed a Christmas - fan.
I wish you and your family a merry christmas Love & Peace
Yea after 3 1/2 years on the road behind them drums fore the boy I can say for sure He was one Hell of a showman...Have a great holiday time and thanks fore helping to keep the memory alive. Peace, Zach
He was born in Widener, Arkansas and moved with his family, at age 13, to Chicago, Illinois in 1952. He had taught himself guitar while in Arkansas and began listening to blues extensively. Three years later he began hanging outside blues clubs with the hopes of being invited to perform. He played with Howlin' Wolf's band and backed up James Cotton. His big break came in 1957 when Muddy Waters invited Allison to the stage. He worked the club circut throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s and recorded his first single in 1965. Allison was signed to the Delmark Records label in fall 1967 and the following year his debut album Love Me Mama was released. He performed a stellar, show stopping, set at the 1969 Ann Arbor Blues Festival and was invited to the next three consecutive festivals. He also toured nation-wide and, in 1972, was signed to Motown Records, one of the few blues artists to do so. By the mid 1970s he began touring Europe, enjoyed the warm reception by the crowds and moved to France in 1977. He wouldn't return to the United States for another 15 years. Allison was known for his strong showmanship, ten minute long guitar solos and crowd walking with an extra long cord attached to his Gibson Les Paul.
Luther Allison's manager and European agent Thomas Ruf founded the label Ruf Records in 1994. Since signing with Ruf Records, Allison launched a major comeback in association with Alligator Records. Alligator Records founder, Bruce Iglauer, convinced Allison to return to the States. The album Soul Fixin' Man was recorded and released in 1994. Luther toured the US and Canada thoroughly and his fan base grew to his mind-blowing performances. Both Allison and Soul Fixin' Man won four WC 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 Handy's and gain wider recognition. Allison scored a host of Living Blues Awards and was featured on the cover pages of major Blues publications. In the middle of his summer of '97 tour, Allison checked into a hospital for chest pains and breathing problems. Unfortunately, it was discovered that he had a tumor on his lung that was about to metastasize to his spine. In and out of a coma, Luther Allison passed away on August 12, 1997, five days before his 58th birthday. His album Reckless had just been released. Not only did he leave his legacy to never be forgotten.
