Photo: Luther Allison, courtesy of Luther Allison: A Legend Never Dies Facebook page
‘Luther’
By Joanna Connor
Modern Blues/Rock Guitarist
Website
I was the opening act for blues great Luther Allison for almost the entire 90’s decade. How can I commit to words what it was like to be in the presence of someone with that musical prowess? How can I convey the sheer velocity and pathos of one of the greatest voices I had ever heard, or describe the deep blues that came out of any guitar he picked up? He could not be contained, or easily explained. But I can tell you that he embodied the tribal elder, the shaman, the king who took his position seriously as the one who could deeply touch anyone blessed enough to be in his energy field.
Luther was well established on the continent of Europe when I first met him. I was familiar with his recorded works, one on the Motown label and a few others on various labels when I was a DJ at a college radio station back home in Massachusetts.
Luther was second only to B.B. King as far as popularity went in Europe, particularly in Germany. He was just about 50 then and while his somewhat weathered skin and graying hair revealed his age, his seemingly limitless supply of energy onstage was the envy of any teen or triathlete. A three hour show of raw passion, emotion and fire was a nightly occurrence. And he was a rainbow of loveliness onstage. His love for what he did, but most of all his love for people, was radiant. He would leave the stage soaked from head to toe, go change his shirt, and meet the people at a merchandise table at every venue and festival–always gracious, always kind, sincere, patient and giving of his time.
He was quiet offstage. He was humble. He could be silly. He was always charming.
I stayed at his apartment in a Paris suburb for a month while he was in Memphis recording his first record for Alligator Records in the states and he graciously allowed us to use his spot as home base while we were touring France. From what I recall, he had not toured his home country in a very long time.
While staying at his place, I will never forget the folder sitting on his desk, stacked high with rejection letters from record companies. “Too hard to market, music is too rock, music is too funky, music is too bluesy…” You see, Luther was true to himself and his inner creative world and the industry at the time could not deal with it. His music was his own unique expression. And the blues boom of the 80s, due to the likes of Stevie Ray, Robert Cray, the Thunderbirds and others, overlooked in my opinion a talent as great or perhaps greater than all of them – Luther Allison. But Luther was loved by audiences. And he kept on.
Photo: Luther Allison by Steve Cooke, Alligator Records
He loved tennis, had given up wine and smoking, although he snuck an occasional cigarette when we recorded together in Berlin. He composed a song called “Slipping Away,” which I arranged and we did as a duet on my Rock & Roll Gypsy release. But for the most part, the Luther I knew looked after himself.
Always kind and encouraging, Luther was soft spoken and positive. I never heard him complain about anything. And life on the road, even under the best of circumstances, can be a trial at times. He often let my young son play drums with him. One of my sharpest memories was my then 10-year-old son dancing onstage with Luther. My son came off the stage and said, “Mommy, something is wrong with Luther. He whispered in my ear, ‘Son, I’m having a hard time keeping up with you tonight.’”
I was incredulous. Luther had just burned a festival down and was dancing at warp speed with my ten year old.
I did recall having been asked many times to bring over large supplies of American manufactured aspirin for him. Other than an occasional cold, Luther seemed in great shape. About a year later, after the night his records had been released in the states, he was touring his home country, which I knew he missed greatly. He was a comet at home. Where he had been once tossed aside, he was taking command.
And then… cancer. He went fast.
I went to his funeral. Open casket. I was pregnant with my daughter and I almost passed out. It seemed so cruel. So harsh. He was only 59 years old and on the verge of being a worldwide sensation.
We lost a true king. An example of how to be a pure artist. An example of music being the great healer delivered by a true healer who gave every bit of himself every time he walked on any stage. Do yourself a favor and dig deep into his catalogue. I guarantee he will move you.
Watch Joanna Connor & Luther Allison
For more information on Luther Allison see here
Joanna Connor’s last article on Otis Rush see Here
Loved the article. Didn’t know any of the story Joanna told about Luther. I discovered his album Hand Me Down My Moonshine and became an instant fan and started hunting down his other albums. He is still one of my favorites. Glad Bernard is carrying on his legacy in his own way! Loved the video of Joanna ( another favorite ) jamming away with Luther!
I had the great fortune of catching Luther at Tornado Alley near Washington DC in what I believe was his first tour back in the USA after signing with Alligator.
Joanna’s description of Luther is so spot on.
Every chance after that I could see Luther, I was there. Washington, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, San Diego — being at Luther’s show was like coming in contact with a gracious dynamo.
The only time I was able to speak with him was after the Washington show.
Thank you for the tribute and the memories.
I saw him bring the house down in Memphis in late 90s(?) at the Orpheum Theater. He was among such blues legends as Koko Taylor, Ruth Brown and others.
But that night clearly belonged to Luther Allison.
I saw Luther Allison in Thunder Bay, ON when I was 18. He was electrifying. My friends and I became instant fans. He talked to us every time he came to town. Underrated bluesman. Excellent human being. I wish we had more time with him.