Biography of Luther Allison

Chicago guitarist. One of the leading young Chicago blues guitarists of the 1970s, working in the popular West Side style, Allison came to Chicago as a teenager and fell into the growing West Side movement, although he didn't record until 1967. Allison's debut album for Delmark, Love Me Mama, soon followed. Ironically, Allison waxed his best set, Luther's Blues, for Detroit's Gordy imprint in 1974 (one of three he cut for the Motown empire). After establishing himself on the midwestern college circuit during the 70s as a high-energy favorite, Allison relocated to Europe and began mixing strong rock and reggae influences into his approach. His son, Bernard, is following in Dad's footsteps as a blues guitar hero. ~ Bill Dahl