17 Facts About Luther Tucker

Luther Tucker helped to define the music known as Chicago blues, but played everything from blues to soul, rock, jazz and gospel, when given the chance.

Luther Tucker is considered one of the most prominent rhythm guitarists of Chicago blues along with Eddie Taylor, Jody Williams and Freddie Robinson.

Luther Tucker variously worked with Little Walter, Otis Rush, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The James Cotton Blues Band and Elvin Bishop.

Luther Tucker's father, a carpenter, built Tucker his first guitar, but his first real guitar was a Sears Silvertone that his mother got him to keep him out of trouble.

Luther Tucker's family moved from Memphis to Chicago, Illinois, when he was nine years old, in his teenage years his contemporaries and friends included Freddie King, Magic Sam and Otis Rush.

Luther Tucker was 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 Luther 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 Luther Tucker out of trouble.

Luther Tucker learned to read music and began working as a studio guitarist at an early age.

Luther Tucker recorded with Otis Rush, Snooky Pryor, and after moving to the West Coast, John Lee Hooker, Robben Ford, and Elvin Bishop.

Clay brought a new dimension to the band and Luther Tucker further developed his skills, playing soul tunes and jazz arrangements, utilizing the octave, minor and diminished chords he had learned from Lockwood.

The band spent a great deal of time in Northern California and, in 1973, Luther Tucker left The James Cotton Blues Band and relocated to the town of San Anselmo, California.

Luther Tucker formed the Luther Tucker Band where he became known as a very competent and soulful singer.

Luther Tucker played in clubs in the San Francisco Bay Area until his death.

Luther Tucker played at the San Francisco Blues Festival in 1973,1976, and 1979.

Luther Tucker died of a heart attack in June, 1993, in Greenbrae, California, at the age of 57.

Luther Tucker's body was returned to Chicago, where he is buried in Restvale Cemetery in an unmarked plot.

Luther Tucker recorded two albums, one incomplete, both released posthumously.