Luther Tucker

Luther Tucker (January 20, 1936 – June 18, 1993) , but played many styles, including blues, soul, rock, jazz and gospel. His distinctive style has been described by his protege Rusty Zinn as mandolin-like, creating a unique sound. Tucker was featured on the recordings of B.B. King, Mel Brown, Pat Hare, and Elmore James. He variously worked with Little Walter, Otis Rush, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The James Cotton Blues Band and Elvin Bishop. in his teenage years his contemporaries and friends included Freddie King, Magic Sam and Otis Rush.

Playing with bands In 1952, he began playing with his uncle, J.T. "Boogie" Brown, saxophonist, studio musician, and sideman to Elmore James. Tucker was soon back with Lockwood, who was one of the most sought after sidemen and studio guitarists on the Chicago blues scene. Lockwood went to the musician's union asking that Tucker be allowed to play in clubs, and reassured the Union that he would act as a guardian to him and keep the 16-year-old Tucker out of trouble. Lockwood had been B.B. King's rhythm guitarist between 1948 and 1949. Lockwood educated Tucker about minor diminished ninth and thirteenth chords to big bar-chords, and the subtle nuances of jazz guitar. Initially, Lockwood played lead guitar and Tucker played bass on a tuned-down six-string guitar (the Fender bass had not yet been invented) or Tucker would play rhythm guitar. Tucker learned to read music and began working as a studio guitarist at an early age. They worked with Little Walter off and on for seven years.

In the late 1960s, Tucker worked in Muddy Waters' band along with harmonica player, James Cotton, and drummer, Francis Clay. In 1968, a cooperative band was put together composed of Tucker on guitar; drummer, Sam Lay; bassist and alumni of Howlin' Wolf's band, Bobby Anderson; Alberto Gianquinto, a pianist comfortable playing jazz, blues or classical music; and harmonica player and singer, James Cotton. First night out, the emcee at the club asked the band's name so he could announce them. For lack of a name, one of the band said, The James Cotton Blues Band. After a while, Sam Lay was replaced by Francis Clay. Clay brought a new dimension to the band and Tucker further developed his skills, playing soul tunes and jazz arrangements, utilizing the octave, minor and diminished chords he had learned from Lockwood. The group traveled the country from Fillmore West, in San Francisco to Fillmore East in New York, and on to Great Britain, Europe and other countries. The band spent a great deal of time in Northern California and, in 1973, Tucker left The James Cotton Blues Band and relocated to the town of San Anselmo, California. He recorded two albums, one incomplete, both released posthumously.

On May 9, 2009 the second annual White Lake Blues Festival took place at the Howmet Playhouse Theater in Whitehall, Michigan. The concert was organized by executive producer, Steve Salter, of the nonprofit organization Killer Blues, to raise monies to honor Tucker's unmarked grave with a headstone. The event was a success, and a headstone was placed in June, 2009.

Discography Solo 1990: Sad Hours (Lonestar / Antone's) 1995: Luther Tucker and the Ford Blues Band (Rock'it Records)

As sideman With John Lee Hooker Live at Soledad Prison (ABC, 1972) Free Beer and Chicken (ABC, 1974) With Sonny Boy Williamson The Real Folk Blues (Chess, 1947-64 )