Luther Sylvester Allison (August 17, 1939 – August 12, 1997) was an American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was born in Widener, Arkansas, although some sources say he was born in Mayflower, Arkansas. Allison became interested in music as a child and traveled with a family gospel group called The Southern Travellers during the late 1940s. In 1951, he moved with his family to Chicago and attended Farragut High School, where he was a classmate of Muddy Waters' son. He taught himself to play the guitar and listened to blues music regularly. Three years later, he left school and waited outside blues clubs, hoping to be invited to perform. Allison played with the bands of Howlin' Wolf and Freddie King, taking over King's band when King toured nationally. He worked with Jimmy Dawkins, Magic Sam, and Otis Rush, and also supported James Cotton. The Chicago Reader called him "the Jimi Hendrix of blues guitar."

Biography

Luther Sylvester Allison was born on August 18, 1939, in Widener, Arkansas. He was the fourteenth of 15 children in his family. When Luther was 12 years old, his family moved to Chicago, Illinois, to find better opportunities. Some of his siblings sang in a gospel group named the Southern Travellers. One of his older brothers, Ollie, worked as a guitarist in Chicago’s blues scene. Inspired by his brother, Luther began learning to play the guitar. By his mid-teens, he was skilled enough to perform with his brother’s band at club events.

In 1954, Luther played music with his brother’s band, the Ollie Lee Allison Band. By 1957, he formed a group with Ollie and another brother, Grant Allison. The band was first called The Rolling Stones and later renamed The Four Jivers. They performed at clubs in Chicago.

Luther’s first major opportunity came in 1957 when Howlin’ Wolf invited him to perform on stage. That same year, he briefly played with Jimmy Dawkins in local clubs. Freddie King helped Luther develop his skills. After King signed a record deal, Luther took over King’s position in the house band of a club on Chicago’s West Side. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, Luther performed at many clubs. He also moved to California for a year, where he worked with musicians Shakey Jake Harris and Sunnyland Slim. In 1965, Luther recorded his first single. In 1967, he signed a recording contract with Delmark Records and released his debut album, Love Me Mama, the next year. He performed at the 1969 Ann Arbor Blues Festival, which led to invitations to return for the next three years. Luther toured across the United States. In 1972, he signed with Motown Records, becoming one of the label’s few blues artists. In the mid-1970s, he toured Europe. He moved to France in 1977.

Luther was known for his powerful stage performances, long guitar solos, and his habit of walking through crowds while playing his Gibson Les Paul guitar. During this time, he briefly lived in Peoria, Illinois, where he signed with Rumble Records. He released two live recordings: Gonna Be a Live One in Here Tonight! and Power Wire Blues. Luther performed at bars in the United States and spent much of the year in Europe at famous venues, including the Montreux Jazz Festival. In 1992, he performed with French rock and roll star Johnny Hallyday in 18 shows in Paris, including during intermissions.

Luther’s manager, Thomas Ruf, started Ruf Records in 1994. Luther signed with Ruf Records and began a comeback with Alligator Records. Alligator’s founder, Bruce Iglauer, encouraged Luther to return to the United States. In 1994, Luther released the album Soul Fixin’ Man and toured the United States and Canada. He won four W. C. Handy Awards that year. With the James Solberg Band, Luther continued touring and released Blue Streak, which included the song “Cherry Red Wine.” He earned more Handy Awards and recognition. He also won several Living Blues Awards and appeared on the covers of blues magazines.

In the summer of 1997, Luther was hospitalized on July 10 for dizziness and loss of coordination. Doctors found a lung tumor that had spread to his brain. He began radiation treatment on July 16, which lasted until August 1. Luther was in and out of a coma and died on August 12, 1997, five days before his 58th birthday, in Madison, Wisconsin. His final album, Reckless, had been released five months earlier.

Luther’s son, Bernard Allison, was once a member of his band. Bernard is now a solo artist. He was the youngest of nine siblings and was exposed to many types of music by his father. Bernard first entered the music industry at age 13, performing on a live album with his father.

Luther was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1998. In 2000, the Chicago Sun-Times called him “the Bruce Springsteen of the blues.” He influenced many young blues guitarists, including Chris Beard and Reggie Sears.

Luther is buried at Washington Memory Gardens Cemetery in Homewood, Illinois.