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.
Night Life
Luther Allison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
evenin' sun goes down
I know you find me just hanging around
because the night life
it's ain't no good life
but it's my life
all the people, just like you and me
I know you all are dreaming
I want you to know the night life
it's ain't no good life
but it's my life
oh, listen to the blues
listen to what they're saying
oh listen to these blues
all the people, just like you and me
I know you all are dreaming
about the old time used to be
I want you to know the night life
it's ain't no good life
but it's my life
In Luther Allison's song Night Life, the singer describes the reality of his life, which revolves around the night time activities. He is aware that the night life is not a desirable life, but it is the life he has chosen for himself, and he finds comfort in it. The lyrics suggest that the people around the singer are also stuck in this life and are reminiscing about the good old days. The "old time used to be" could be a reference to a time when life was simpler and less complicated. However, despite the difficulties and challenges, the singer continues to find solace in the blues, and inspires others to do the same.
The song paints a vivid picture of the night life as a place of loneliness and despair but also as a place where people can find a sense of belonging. The lyrics show that even though the night life is not a good life, it is still an essential part of the singer's identity. The references to the blues suggest that music is a way to cope with the sadness and struggles of the night life. Luther Allison's powerful voice and guitar playing add to the intense mood of the song and showcase his mastery of the blues genre.
Line by Line Meaning
when the evening
When the sun sets and darkness falls
evenin' sun goes down
The sun has set, signaling nightfall
I know you find me just hanging around
I am aimlessly wandering, passing time
because the night life
The lifestyle and atmosphere of the nighttime
it's ain't no good life
The night life is not a wholesome, healthy way of living
but it's my life
Despite its negative aspects, the night life is the way I choose to live
all the people, just like you and me
Everyone, including myself and the listener, can relate to this experience
I know you all are dreaming
You are wistfully recalling a happier time in the past
about the old time used to be
Nostalgia for a previous era or life
I want you to know the night life
I am sharing my experience of the night life with you
oh, listen to the blues
Listen to the unique, melancholy style of music known as the blues
listen to what they're saying
Pay attention to the lyrics and emotional expression in the blues music
all the people, just like you and me
Everyone can appreciate the artistry and messages in the blues
I know you all are dreaming
You are still reminiscing about the past
about the old time used to be
You are longing for a time in the past when things seemed better
I want you to know the night life
I am trying to convey that the night life can have its own unique appeal despite its challenges
it's ain't no good life
The night life can be difficult and even dangerous
but it's my life
I choose to embrace the night life despite its struggles and negative aspects
Writer(s): Walter M. Breeland, Willie Nelson, Paul F. Buskirk Copyright: Glad Music Co., Sony/ATV Tree Publishing
Contributed by Kaelyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Francois Froge
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