Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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ALLISON, Luther

(b 17 Aug. '39, Mayflower AZ; d 12 Aug. '97, Madison WI of cancer) Blues singer, guitarist. One of twelve children, he made a 'diddley bow' by nailing a piece of bailing wire to the front porch. Toured with the Southern Travellers gospel group late '40s; went to high school in Chicago, learned guitar. Worked in band of his brother Ollie Lee, '54; later formed the Rolling Stones with another brother, Grant; later renamed the Four Jivers, this band played the Bungalow in Chicago '57--8. Gigged with Jimmy Dawkins, Little Richard, Magic Sam, Chuck Berry etc, also with own units. To West Coast late '60s; played Ann Arbor Blues Festivals '70--74; had Motown recording contract '74. Montreux, Antibes Jazz Festivals, several successful European tours. Heard on film soundtrack Cooley High '76; in the '80s played around 300 dates a year. He was featured on the legendary compilation Sweet Home Chicago '67, then his own first album Love Me Mama, later Blues Nebulae, all on Delmark; Love Me Papa on Evidence; Live In Paris on Buda/Allegro; Serious '87 on Blind Pig; Soul Fixin' Man '94, Blue Streak '95, Reckless '97 on Alligator, the last on Ruf UK, who also seamlessly compiled '76--94 tracks on Where Have You Been -- Live In Montreux '97. Luther copped eight awards at the annual W. C. Handy ceremonies '96--7; it had been a long road but he was a man with a lot of energy right up to the end.