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.
Will It Ever Change?
Luther Allison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooo people, tell me when will it ever change?
I can see bells of freedom
I can't hear them ring
I see this premonition
Nearly happens every night
I see this premonition
It happens every day
I can tell by the things they say
My sisters and my brothers
On the streets all over town
I can see people dyin'
There's hatreds all around
Ooo people, will it ever change?
Sometimes I hear the bells of freedom
But I never hear them ring
Oh!
Once I knew a man
He'd fought for equality, yes he did ya'all
He'd seen the Promised Land
He freed now for my needs, oh yes he did
I can see the bells of freedom
Tell me why can't I hear them ring?
Hear them ring, baby
Let me tell ya'all
This is what I read
Come on in here
Freedoms comin' in
Liberty, equality, humanity
Little love, never hurt nobody
But we need liberty, there's no doubt about it
People, when will it change?
People, when will it change?
We need love, I know we need love
We don't need no more hatred
Tell me when will it change?
When will it change?
People, could ya tell me when will it change?
Somebody tell me now
I want freedom
I wanna hear those freedom bells ringin', yeah-oh
Oh whoa, I wanna know
Think you wanna know, too
Take my hand
Let me lead you to the Promised Land
I think I can lead you to the Promised Land
I know I can
But I wanna know one thing, people
I wanna know, when will it change?
When will it change?
Yeah
In Luther Allison’s song "Will It Ever Change?", the artist reflects on the current state of society and wonders when things will improve. The song starts with Luther's questioning voice repetition of "when will it ever change?" This query sets the overall theme of the song. There is a strong sense of hopelessness in the first verse as he speaks about seeing the bells of freedom but not hearing them ring. This could mean that there is a glimpse of hope, yet it remains impalpable. The repetition of the phrase implies a lack of faith in the idea that things can change for the better.
Throughout the song, Luther expresses his observance of people dying on the streets and how hatred surrounds us all. The idea of equality, liberty and humanity is emphasized several times. He makes a reference to a man who had fought for equality and the freedom bells he never heard ring. He also speaks about love and how we need it to bring the much-needed change in society. Only when people learn to respect one another and love one another differences will the world be a better place.
In summary, "Will It Ever Change?" is a song that reflects on the devolution of society and a need for change. Through his lyrics, Luther Allison expresses his hopelessness at the current state of affairs while asking important questions that need to be addressed to bring about change. The song is a message of hope and a call to action.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooo, when will it ever change?
Luther Allison expresses his frustration and lack of faith in the possibility of change happening in the future.
Ooo people, tell me when will it ever change?
Allison calls out to people around him, hoping for an answer to when the long-awaited change will occur.
I can see bells of freedom
Allison visualizes the idea of freedom and holds a picture of hope for a better future.
I can't hear them ring
Though the visuals of freedom bring a sense of hope, the reality around him doesn't reflect it, and Allison feels a lack of hope, for the 'bells of freedom' don't ring.
I see this premonition / Nearly happens every night
Allison has premonitions and visions of a more humane, equal society, but when he wakes up every morning, the reality is still far from what he hopes for.
It happens every day
This line repeats the idea from the previous line, emphasizing that the disappointing reality is a daily phenomenon.
I can see it when they work / I can tell by the things they say
Allison sees reflections of people's mindset and attitudes towards work and life, which indicate a society with unjust foundations.
My sisters and my brothers / On the streets all over town
Allison acknowledges the injustices people face in different parts of society.
I can see people dyin'
Allison is exposed to the brutal suffering of people around him, which is a recurring issue his community faces.
There's hatreds all around
Hatred and discrimination are the root causes of such suffering, and it's all around Allison's community.
Sometimes I hear the bells of freedom / But I never hear them ring
Allison holds hope that genuine change will occur someday, but he hasn't witnessed it yet, as the 'bells of freedom' remain silent.
Once I knew a man / He'd fought for equality, yes he did ya'all / He'd seen the Promised Land / He freed now for my needs, oh yes he did
Allison speaks of We shall Overcome's Martin Luther King Jr, who fought for equality in society and imagined a future that was free from discrimination and hatred.
Tell me why can't I hear them ring? / Hear them ring, baby
A sense of hopelessness overcomes Allison again as he reiterates his question about why the 'bells of freedom' remain silent.
Freedoms comin' in / Liberty, equality, humanity / Little love, never hurt nobody / But we need liberty, there's no doubt about it
Allison believes that the values of freedom, equality, and love must be etched into the foundations of society.
People, when will it change? / We need love, I know we need love / We don't need no more hatred / Tell me when will it change? / When will it change?
Allison emphasizes that change is the need of the hour and what's needed to be brought about is a shift in societal values where love stands before hatred.
People, could ya tell me when will it change? / Somebody tell me now
Allison looks for answers from people around him, agitated and tired.
I want freedom / I wanna hear those freedom bells ringin', yeah-oh
Allison yearns for what most people desire: freedom, and genuine change in society and is in need of hope and reassurance of a better future.
Think you wanna know, too / Take my hand
Allison invites people to join him in his quest, to bring about a change collectively.
Let me lead you to the Promised Land / I think I can lead you to the Promised Land / I know I can
Allison believes he's capable of being a leader and guiding people towards a better future.
But I wanna know one thing, people / I wanna know, when will it change? / When will it change? / Yeah
Allison repeats his question, emphasizing that the need for change is urgent and it's the collective responsibility of people to bring about this change.
Contributed by Zachary V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.