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Guitar World
Guitar World
Entertainment
David Gerrish

He was one of blues guitar’s great unsung heroes, renowned for his raw energy, fiery lead work and funky rhythms – the story and playing behind the ‘Otis Redding of guitar’

Luther Allison rocks the crowd at the 12th Chicago Blues Festival 1995. He wears a blue-and-white pattern shirt and plays a Gibson Les Paul Standard Gold Top.

In this lesson, we’re shining a spotlight on an unsung hero of blues: Luther Allison. Known for his electrifying performances and soulful intensity, Allison left an indelible mark on the blues scene, despite never achieving the mainstream success he deserved over his four-decade career.

Born in 1939 in Widener, Arkansas, Allison moved to Chicago as a teenager, where he immersed himself in the city’s vibrant blues scene. Influenced by legends like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, he developed a fierce, soulful style on both guitar and vocals.

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