Luther Tucker

Luther Tucker
Tucker playing May 12, 1964 Photo: Louis Ramirez
Background information
Born	(1936-01-20)January 20, 1936 Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Died	June 18, 1993(1993-06-18) (aged 57) Greenbrae, California, United States
Genres	Chicago Blues, blues, soul, rock, jazz, gospel
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Guitar, vocals
Years active	1952–1993
Labels	Lonestar Records Rock'it Records

For the publisher see The Genesee Farmer

Luther Tucker (January 20, 1936 – June 18, 1993) was an American blues guitarist.

While soft-spoken and shy, Tucker made his presence known through his unique and clearly recognizable guitar style. 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. While never achieving the fame and notoriety of some of his contemporaries he was considered a great guitarist whether playing his own lead style or playing on the recordings of B.B. King, Mel Brown, Pat Hare, or Elmore James. He is considered one of the most prominent rhythm guitarists of Chicago Blues along with Eddie Taylor, Jody Williams and Freddie Robinson. He variously worked with Little Walter, Otis Rush, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The James Cotton Blues Band and Elvin Bishop.

Tucker was born in Memphis, Tennessee. His 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. His mother, who played boogie-woogie piano, introduced him to Big Bill Broonzy and to Robert Lockwood Jr., the stepson to Robert Johnson, usually acknowledged as "King of the Delta Blues". Tucker went on to become Robert Jr.'s protégé, a guitarist and an individual for whom he had the greatest admiration and respect. In fact, Tucker always referred to him as "Mr. Robert Jr. Lockwood". Tucker's family moved from Memphis to Chicago when he was a teenager and his teenage contemporaries and friends with whom he traded licks, shared ideas and played included Freddie King, Magic Sam and Otis Rush.