Luther Allison (born 17 August 1939 in Widener, AR, died 12 August 1997 in … Read Full Bio ↴Luther Allison (born 17 August 1939 in Widener, AR, died 12 August 1997 in Madison, WI) was an American blues guitarist. His powerful guitar work – equal parts traditional blues string-bending and wall-shaking rock 'n roll – is matched in energy only by his soul-deep vocals. His live shows (often clocking in at well over three hours) are the stuff of legend.
He was born in Widener, Arkansas (the 14th of 15 musically gifted children) first connected to the blues at age ten, when he began playing the diddley bow (a wire attached by nails to a wall with rocks for bridges and a bottle to fret the wire). His family migrated to Chicago in 1951, and Luther began soaking in the sounds of Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Robert Nighthawk. He was classmates with Muddy Waters' son and occasionally stopped in the Waters' house to watch the master rehearse. It wasn't until he was 18 already in Chicago for seven years that Luther began playing blues on a real guitar and jamming with his brother Ollie's band. 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.
By 1957, Allison had dropped out of school and formed a band called The Rolling Stones. Unhappy with the name, they became The Four Jivers, gigging all over the West Side of Chicago. Before long, Luther was jamming with the West Side's best, including Magic Sam, Otis Rush, and Freddie King, who encouraged Allison to sing. "That," said Allison, "was my school." When King began to tour nationally in the early 1960s, Allison took over King's band as well as his weekly gigs at Walton's Corner and became one of the hottest acts on the West Side. For five years, Allison honed his craft. He moved to California for a year and cut sides with fellow Chicagoans Shakey Jake Harris and Sunnyland Slim.
His big break came in 1957 when Muddy Waters invited Allison to the stage. 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 fall 1967. He cut his first two songs as a leader on the now-classic Delmark anthology, Sweet Home Chicago, before releasing his debut album Love Me Mama. 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 fifteen years disgusted by the disco music that started there.
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. With the release of Soul Fixin' Man in 1994, Allison's first domestic album in 20 years, he announced his return. "Fever and chills performances," said Guitar Player, "ferocious solos combine the wisdom of a master storyteller with the elegance of B.B. King, the elasticity of Buddy Guy, and the big sting of Albert King."
After three mammoth U.S. tours, America once again was paying attention to LUTHER ALLISON. On his American comeback tour, including his nationally broadcast and typically jaw-dropping set at the 1995 Chicago Blues Festival, LUTHER ALLISON announced to the world that he was not only back, he was unstoppable. And now he has the trophies to prove it, having received every award the blues has to offer. He swept the 1996 W.C.Handy Awards with five statues, won 10 Living Blues Awards and a 1995 Indie Award, and played in front of hundreds of thousands of screaming fans at festivals and clubs all over the world. He appeared on the cover of Living Blues, Blues Revue, Blues Access, and was the subject of major feature stories and reviews in Guitar Player, Guitar World, and Guitar For The Practicing Musician, as well as being featured on National Public Radio's Weekend All Things Considered and The Late Show With Conan O'Brien. "LUTHER ALLISON", proclaimed Blues Revue," is the New King of the Blues."
Allison followed up with Blue Streak, and the praise and accolades poured in. "A sonic roar as soulful as his gospel-shout vocals," raved the Washington Post. "Luther Allison's latest is nothing short of a masterpiece by a master," reported Blues Revue. Continued touring brought Allison before raving fans around the world, as he brought his band from the San Francisco Blues Festival to New York's Central Park Summerstage, with all stops in between. With Reckless, Allison reached even greater heights. Guitar World said, "Reckless in the best sense of the word, dancing on a razor's edge, remaining just this side of out-of-control. Hard-driving, piercing West Side Chicago single-note leads with a soul base and a rock edge."
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. Throughout it all, Allison delivered one show-stopping performance after another. His boundless energy and fierce guitar attack combined to make him a blues superstar who reached rock fans like no bluesmen since Freddie King and Albert Collins. 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.
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 died on August 12, 1997, five days before his 58th birthday. His album Reckless had just been released. Without a doubt, LUTHER ALLISON's death robbed music fans of one of the most exciting and popular blues performers ever. With Live In Chicago, Allison lives on, as he tears through the songs with the single-minded desire to give everything he has to his audience. While listening to the album, fans can immerse themselves in the explosive power of LUTHER ALLISON's music and experience the redemptive force of his legendary performances. Not only did he leave his legacy to never be forgotten, but his son Bernard Allison (born 1965) is an exceptional blues guitarist in his own right.
He was born in Widener, Arkansas (the 14th of 15 musically gifted children) first connected to the blues at age ten, when he began playing the diddley bow (a wire attached by nails to a wall with rocks for bridges and a bottle to fret the wire). His family migrated to Chicago in 1951, and Luther began soaking in the sounds of Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Robert Nighthawk. He was classmates with Muddy Waters' son and occasionally stopped in the Waters' house to watch the master rehearse. It wasn't until he was 18 already in Chicago for seven years that Luther began playing blues on a real guitar and jamming with his brother Ollie's band. 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.
By 1957, Allison had dropped out of school and formed a band called The Rolling Stones. Unhappy with the name, they became The Four Jivers, gigging all over the West Side of Chicago. Before long, Luther was jamming with the West Side's best, including Magic Sam, Otis Rush, and Freddie King, who encouraged Allison to sing. "That," said Allison, "was my school." When King began to tour nationally in the early 1960s, Allison took over King's band as well as his weekly gigs at Walton's Corner and became one of the hottest acts on the West Side. For five years, Allison honed his craft. He moved to California for a year and cut sides with fellow Chicagoans Shakey Jake Harris and Sunnyland Slim.
His big break came in 1957 when Muddy Waters invited Allison to the stage. 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 fall 1967. He cut his first two songs as a leader on the now-classic Delmark anthology, Sweet Home Chicago, before releasing his debut album Love Me Mama. 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 fifteen years disgusted by the disco music that started there.
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. With the release of Soul Fixin' Man in 1994, Allison's first domestic album in 20 years, he announced his return. "Fever and chills performances," said Guitar Player, "ferocious solos combine the wisdom of a master storyteller with the elegance of B.B. King, the elasticity of Buddy Guy, and the big sting of Albert King."
After three mammoth U.S. tours, America once again was paying attention to LUTHER ALLISON. On his American comeback tour, including his nationally broadcast and typically jaw-dropping set at the 1995 Chicago Blues Festival, LUTHER ALLISON announced to the world that he was not only back, he was unstoppable. And now he has the trophies to prove it, having received every award the blues has to offer. He swept the 1996 W.C.Handy Awards with five statues, won 10 Living Blues Awards and a 1995 Indie Award, and played in front of hundreds of thousands of screaming fans at festivals and clubs all over the world. He appeared on the cover of Living Blues, Blues Revue, Blues Access, and was the subject of major feature stories and reviews in Guitar Player, Guitar World, and Guitar For The Practicing Musician, as well as being featured on National Public Radio's Weekend All Things Considered and The Late Show With Conan O'Brien. "LUTHER ALLISON", proclaimed Blues Revue," is the New King of the Blues."
Allison followed up with Blue Streak, and the praise and accolades poured in. "A sonic roar as soulful as his gospel-shout vocals," raved the Washington Post. "Luther Allison's latest is nothing short of a masterpiece by a master," reported Blues Revue. Continued touring brought Allison before raving fans around the world, as he brought his band from the San Francisco Blues Festival to New York's Central Park Summerstage, with all stops in between. With Reckless, Allison reached even greater heights. Guitar World said, "Reckless in the best sense of the word, dancing on a razor's edge, remaining just this side of out-of-control. Hard-driving, piercing West Side Chicago single-note leads with a soul base and a rock edge."
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. Throughout it all, Allison delivered one show-stopping performance after another. His boundless energy and fierce guitar attack combined to make him a blues superstar who reached rock fans like no bluesmen since Freddie King and Albert Collins. 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.
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 died on August 12, 1997, five days before his 58th birthday. His album Reckless had just been released. Without a doubt, LUTHER ALLISON's death robbed music fans of one of the most exciting and popular blues performers ever. With Live In Chicago, Allison lives on, as he tears through the songs with the single-minded desire to give everything he has to his audience. While listening to the album, fans can immerse themselves in the explosive power of LUTHER ALLISON's music and experience the redemptive force of his legendary performances. Not only did he leave his legacy to never be forgotten, but his son Bernard Allison (born 1965) is an exceptional blues guitarist in his own right.
I Can Make It Thru The Day
Luther Allison Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'I Can Make It Thru The Day' by these artists:
Ray Charles & Orchestra 6/8 1/3 5/4 number four |1/5 | 6- |2 | Girl, I'm so…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Luther Allison:
All the King All the king's horses All the farmer's mules They can't even…
All the King's Horses All the king's horses All the farmer's mules They can't ev…
Backtrack Backtrack, I'm on the road again Same old truck stop, same…
Bad Love Gone out every evening Out to the pretty show I ask her…
Bad News Is Coming I got the bad news this morning I think I'm gonna…
Big City Sun sinking deep, fires burning down Hard to see the moon,…
Cancel My Check Well, I'm comin' back home Where I belong I'm comin' back …
Cherry Red Wine Watching you babe Watching you all the time Watching you ba…
Cry Love will bring you happiness And love will bring you sorrow…
Evil Is Going On ı am at long way from home ı cant sleep at…
Feelin' So Good You know last night I was laying down And I heard mama…
Freedom We talk about South Africa and we say it's a…
Gambler's Blues I don't know what love is But I tell you I…
Gave It All You're one woman You are all I need I have a lot…
Give Me Back My Wig Give me back my wig Honey, now let your head go…
Going Down I'm going down Down, down, down, down, down Going down Down…
I Believe In You I believe in you, don't you know it's true I'm with…
I'm Back Wait a minute, I'm back! I'm a man, 'cause that's…
It Hurts Me Too You say you hurting, almost lost your mind And the man…
It's a Blues Thing If you washed your car you can bet it's gonna…
It's Too Late Alright When I needed you Stand by my side All you did Lor…
Just As I Am Will you love me like I love you? Will you…
Just Memories I hope this song brings back memories I get this feeling…
Key to the Highway I got the key to the highway And you know I…
Last Night Last night I lost the best friend I ever had Last night I…
Let's Try Again When I look into your eyes, honey what do I…
Life Is A Bitch Life is a bitch, it's hurting me Yes I said life…
Little Red Rooster I got a little red rooster Too lazy to crow for…
Living In the House of Blues Whoa, when I woke up this mornin' I had my head…
Love Is Free I′ve got so much love to give Too much to keep…
Love Me Papa Love me papa Let your son do like my daddy did Ahh…
Low Down and Dirty Well I'm low down and dirty mama I got low…
Luther's Blues Well, my mama called me Luther And my daddy calls me…
Middle of the Road Standing in the Middle Of The Road I've got places to…
Midnight Creeper You midnight creeper, daytime sleeper You don't try, try t…
Move from the Hood I'm layin' around home y'all, everyday Gotta find some way …
Night Life when the evening evenin' sun goes down I know you find me…
Nobody But You Nobody, no, nobody but you, no Nobody, no, nobody but you …
Pain In the Streets If pain was money I would be a rich man…
Part Time Love You love me today And then you gone tomorrow First you bring…
Party Time Well I hope everybodys ready to have a party tonight I…
Playin' A Losing Game I start talking You don't seem to care Oh, I…
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is (Chorus:) Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Put Your Money …
Reaching Out I'm reaching out for your love You are the only one,…
Rock Me Baby Rock me baby, rock me all night long Rock me baby,…
Serious You thought I was gone, I came back I want you…
She Was Born That Way A woman can see, she understands How her love can change A…
Should I Wait Standing at the station, waiting on you Could you tell me…
Show Me A Reason Show me a reason to stay here baby Show me a…
Sky Is Crying Skies are cryin' Look at the tears roll down the street Skie…
Someday Pretty Baby Oh I ain't going nowhere Lord I'm gonna stay right here…
Soul Fixin' Man I'm goin' back, back to the shoeshine stand I'm goin' back,…
Standing At The Crossroads I say love lost this time baby I was standing down…
Sweet Home Chicago Come on Oh baby dont you wanna go Come on Oh baby dont…
The Sky Is Crying The sky is crying, Can you see the tears roll down…
There Comes a Time There come a time A man has to stop bein'…
Think With Your Heart If you want the kind of love you talk about I'm…
Walking Papers Little girl Don't you know What I told you I'm…
What Have I Done Wrong Babe, what have I done wrong Baby, what have I done…
What Have I Done Wrong? Babe, what have I done wrong Baby, what have I…
What's Going on in My Home What's going on In my home when I'm gone? What's going on I…
What's Going On In My Home? What's going on In my home when I'm gone? What's going o…
Will It Ever Change Ooo, when will it ever change? Ooo people, tell me when…
Will It Ever Change? Ooo, when will it ever change? Ooo people, tell me…
You Can Run But You Can't Hide In this world you need money Takes money to survive…
You Can You Can Oh baby, let's talk If you don't wanna take a listen,…
You Don't Know Now come on baby, can't you stand the test Now…
You're Gonna Make Me Cry Love will bring you happiness And love will bring you sorro…
You're Gonna Need Me Love will bring you happiness And love will bring you sorrow…
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