Luther Allison - It Hurts Me Too at Montreal International Jazz Festival, 1997

Chicago Blues legend Luther Allison performs a wailing, screaming slide guitar rendition of Elmore James' classic!
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[@8odycount]

I met him when I was 12 in Germany. After the show I was standing in front of the stage, asking for a pick which was laying on the stage and he asked me to come backstage. Sure. So I went backstage and everyone of the band signed a poster of Luther Allison and the ticket for the show I had. He wrote: For Tido 1994 by Luther Allison. I asked him if he knows BB King and he said, he is a friend of him and if I ever come to the city where the club is, I dont remember where it was, I should go to BB Kings Club and say I am a friend of Luther Allison, so he let me in. RIP Luther!

[@mathmusic1490]

Thank you Tido for a totally cool story...and you were just a kid, wow! You must've freaked!

[@thomasmccue9415]

That's so cool it shows what kind a man he is a great man

[@stevetrivago]

Tido Schmidt thank you for sharing ✊🏼☮️💟🎸🎶🎶🎶🎬

[@mountainchief2163]

BB King's Blues Club.. 143 Beale St. Memphis, Tennessee This is the original iconic BB King’s Blues Club, located at the top of Beale Street. BB King’s is the best restaurant, bar, and live music club on the Street. More than the Blues, they're classic soul, rock and roll, great barbeque, and signature drinks that will fill you to the brim. You just have to experience it because words can’t describe the vibe of the place. So make your way to downtown Memphis for all that BB King’s Blues Club has to offer and don’t forget your blue suede shoes!

[@elenaskrypnikova3472]

Fantastic

[@JWILSON1971]

Luther.....THE most underrated Blues Person on Earth period.

[@bluesque9687]

I guess thats cos he sounds like b b king a lot... kinda gets shadowed

[@tracyjungmann1756]

Maybe he was underrated, but not by me. I love his music.

[@KingKull1971]

@@bluesque9687 I disagree, he sounds like a carbon copy of Elmore James. Guitar playing, voice and all. It's not a bad thing, but when you sound that much like someone else it tends to disqualify you from being considered one of the greats. Don't get me wrong, Luther Allison is great. He's just not all that original. But that's OK his music is enjoyable anyway 👍🏼

[@jordanmeija7384]

life is a bitch, and its killin me....but luther and the blues keep us alive...

[@msgambate88]

I completely agree

[@theherbpuffer]

He was literally dying right here, just months away from coma and death. Legendary

[@wanderingjackwolf9510]

I looked it up. He died August 12th. This is July 6th. No words for how impressive and how touching that is.

[@IndianOutlaw1870]

@@wanderingjackwolf9510 He checked into a hospital on July 10th and never played again.

[@Mjollnir1234]

This is why the blues matter, children. Listen hard.

[@boakley56]

Folks won't get it if they lack mileage...

[@thomasborger6548]

Listen VERY hard.

[@tracyjungmann1756]

Listen EXTREMELY hard...........oh yes, that's it.

[@tracyjungmann1756]

@@boakley56 Indeed Bill, indeed. Got to have the time in.

[@HillCountryPrepper]

Amen brother

[@DiamondDave10]

This will always be one of my all time cherished moments by the unrivaled great blues guitarist, Luther Allison. He is saying goodbye. Literally. He passed with in days of this Montreal recording. Great, great, great bluesman. Rest In Peace, brother.

[@MicheleCapraroGuitarist]

The soul of the Blues. The soul of Mr. Luther Allison! Rip great Luther Allison!!

[@aloisemason3044]

Luther Allison is terrific at this song and he is legend of Blue's..One of the Bestand a great guitar player..Is fantastic as a singer and gets his sound and rhythem out to his fans wherever they are in the airwaves or on stage..A genius at Blue's and avery humble man..will always be loved by his fans all over the world..got a terrific band ..and not missing a beat or a strum of the guitar string..never forgotten..still playing in 2020..r u with me?

[@luizbillora]

Oct 2021...

[@fantinijacques]

Yes 👍

[@kettymartire7660]

Ohhhhh my Good... beautyful song ❤❤❤❤

[@harrietresman5939]

WAS PRIVILAGED TO SEE THIS SHOW. LUTHER ALLISON BLEW THE ROOF OFF THAT PLACE & IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST I HAVE SEEN IN MY LIFE. UNFORTUNATELY HE PASSED A FEW WEEKS LATER OF BRAIN CANCER. I'VE OFTEN THOUGHT THAT HE PLAYED SO WELL THAT NIGHT BECAUSE MAYBE HE KNEW IT WAS ONE OF HIS LAST. NEVER FORGET HIM OR THAT SHOW.

[@johnny4blues]

Terrific voice! And superb rendition..!! What else? This is the real thing, people! Strong and wild. Genuine and overwhelming. This is the blues!

[@carolynsimpson1801]

makes me hungry for more

[@willidaeppen8121]

One of the greatest real Blues Man.

[@gr3663]

I saw Luther a few times in small clubs in Maryland. The second time I saw him I brought a buddy who was a guitar player who just turned to me a minute after he started playing and said “Oh my god”. Another time I went with my girlfriend who came back from the bar with a beer and accidentally walked into the V formation that had been formed by the audience while Luther was playing this song in the middle of the floor. He literally stopped the song, walked right up to her and started playing it directly to her, singing inches from her face. She was transfixed and I’m certain would have dumped me and walked out with him given the chance! A group of us were then going to see him again but noticed that the show they had advertised was no longer listed. We called and they said he was sick and had to cancel. Within weeks he was gone. RIP to one of the all time great bluesmen.

[@felixbruette4793]

Lord have mercy 😂

[@younken24films]

My band opened for him just a couple of months before he passed. We were all blown away by his performance and in shock that he was gone so soon afterwards. What a loss!

[@borjewahlen6917]

It's fantastic. He understands what music and blues is about. Feelings, communication, not perfection. Stunning.

[@diamonddave8693]

Luther. One of the true gentlemen of the blues. Great player, great vocalist, great writer. Even better human Hard to believe Luther would pass away just days after filming this epic footage.

[@solefrederic9614]

Makes me think about time, i keep listening to this performance and just learned tonight,that he had died just days after, he gives his heart ans his art also, à True humanitaire being, an example, we exagerate sometimes where i Côme from but rightly at times, Luther is just a prédestiné we say, all about the blues...thanks for giving me the opportunity to express myself in english, cheers

[@robertgelms5786]

Gosh I wish he lived longer. I played his records a lot on Blues Deluxe at WXRT back in the day

[@williamgeorge2433]

not only was luther a great guitarist but he had a voice that exuded blues, vocals remind me of elmore james. one of my favorites.

[@eriktjabbes1625]

i say whole-hearted that you are fully right!!!!

[@mariapenao5812]

💜☮

[@DonNeutron004]

That’s my wonderful Uncle right there!! I love him so much

[@BrianBoese-im8jm]

Rest easy Blues Man

[@housemanblues]

I saw him, it was his last show he did. He died 1 week later. Fantastic show he played 2 hours and he was the opening act for Buddy Guy. What a show $40 for 4 and 1/2 hours of blues.

[@sullivan2339]

Luther Allison (August 17, 1939 - August 12, 1997) was an American blues guitarist. He was born in Widener, Arkansas, and moved with his family to Chicago in 1951. He taught himself guitar and began listening to blues extensively. Three years later he began hanging around outside blues nightclubs with the hopes of being invited to perform. He played with Howlin' Wolf's band and backed James Cotton.

[@georgeskandalaros8661]

GOD BLESS YOU - REST IN PIECE Mr. ALLISON - I BELIEVE YOU ARE IN HEAVEN ALREADY. YOU MAY NOT HAVE LIVED DURING THE FIRST DECADES OF BLUES MUSIC BEEING FORMED, BUT YOU HAVE BEEN A GREAT BLUES MEN - BLUES FATHERS MUST BE PROUD OF YOU. MANY THANKS ALSO TO AMERICAN BLUES SCENE FOR SHARING THIS HISTORIC VIDEO..

[@borjewahlen6917]

This song is one of the best ever, of course Elmore James is the best but Luther Allison give this song a new dimension and as often black Americans understand and do, it's the FEELING and dynamics that counts. Great version, probably the second best ever!

[@stephenwebb8716]

Thanks Walter Trout for that Tribute cd thats where I discovered this great musician the man knows the blues

[@ulstervillan]

Me 'n all.!

[@tonyfrascella1857]

Walter whoooo!!!Please dont mention him when ya talking MR.LUTHER ALLISON

[@thegreatestdao]

It's so painful to watch his last performance, to which he gave his 200%. He's a powerhouse. The power is so piercing that my heart is trembling. Damn, What a legend!!!!!

[@philliptripp2448]

Some great blues guitarists just sing, but Luther did both brilliantly. He was special and one of kind.

[@linetsers]

So underrated I have Luther in my top 10 easily

[@jensofdenmark]

I only learned about this awesome dude 15 minutes ago! I think I'm a fan when I go to bed tonight :-)

[@iicjguitar0416]

Same here.

[@GianfrancoAlazraki]

Great guitarist great performer the voice plenty of soul and also a dear friend of mine he was a very splendid person love❤❤❤

[@JohnDoe-zd1rk]

R.I.P. LUTHER.... I will always remember meeting him at a music store in Madison Wi. What a super cool man We talked about Chicago bluesmen And how proud he was of son Bernard....also a great bluesman !

[@vb14086]

I used to see him in Madison all the time at the Church Key and the Shuffle Inn. Got to know him a bit as well and he was a kind, generous man. He once played a song for me when I told him I had just come back from the West Coast. He said, 'then we'll have to play a West coast song for you, Vic'. He ended up playing something and he sounded exactly like Carlos Santana. The shows he put on in those days, when he was younger, were just unbelievable. The first time I saw him was at the Cow Pavilion (or whatever it was called at the University of Wisconsin - Madison). He came on about 10:00 pm, played until about 2:30 in the morning. That was just routine as we would pay something like $4.00 and hear about 4+ hours of music and high, high energy every time we saw him. RIP, Luther.

[@gerardhaubert8210]

If you get to see Bernard Allison, do it, he’s real good

[@notmyrealname007]

@@vb14086 I think my first was at Carson Gulley Commons (the dining hall at the dorms on campus, just down the street from the Church Key). He had the longest guitar cord I'd ever seen. BTW, it's officially the Stock Pavilion.

[@vb14086]

@@notmyrealname007 Thank you. That does ring a bell as well. Yes, you are right - it was officially known as the Stock Pavilion. I had managed to forget that after these many years. Where ever he played, it was sure to be a great time. It's hard not to miss those days.

[@barryjansen7057]

When it comes to slide everyone thinks Allman, Trucks, Winter, Lowell George, J.B. Hutto, Elmore of course - all supreme, but Luther actually made the guitar wail like no one.

[@spacko539]

You missed the one and only : Hound Dog Taylor!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@buurmanp441]

Holy son of a!!!! I've been living under a rock!

[@ReshonBryant]

Fun fact: Blues is now another name for properly mixed fentanyl in crystal methamphetamine😉

[@Klabautermann1968]

I saw him live once and he brought the feeling to the people. that was not long before he died and he was so powerful and brought the happines even he know his sick. that was also 1997, so this here is also not long before he died. You see how much he was connected with the audience. He wass very special. I will keep my good experience until the end and honour him

[@alenlau1601]

Awesome performance by and absolute legend. It saddens me that this man, along with his other contemporaries, didn’t get the recognition that he rightfully deserved, for whatever silly reasons that I rather not discuss here. It also bugs me that many guitar players, when talking about the blues, they really only mean the music of more modern musicians, like SRV, John Mayer or Robben Ford (all fantastic musicians, btw), without having the slightest idea or giving any respects to those true giants like Muddy Waters, the three Kings, Albert Collins, and the list goes on. Oh, you also “need” to have a Strat to play the blues…

[@MrJimmyoc00]

One of the greatest blues players ever!! He should be mentioned on every list...yet he remains unheard of to so many!! The double cd live in Chicago is as good as blues collection as anything ever recorded!! And living in Chicago...I missed both performances...one of my biggest regrets!! Just put down the booze...and was staying clear of some of those old haunts...still sober, but regret not showing up for those shows ❤❤🎶🎶

[@paullevine1813]

Alan, Not all of us feel that way & we know where & who were the Blues kings way before what you describe though i will admit you are correct in how players look at the real history of the Blues the real players made & even farther back to the guys Luther grew up with. No we don't need a Strat to play the Blues ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/onvInaariZaIrqs

[@fatkitty4207]

But yet whenever you ask a real great or a real blues lover they will name every person they have heard. Because they always pay respect.

[@LANEBarrett]

The One and ONLY... Blues Master Luther Allison

[@KAYZ-of2hw]

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO'S BREAKING THIS DOWN, ELMORE ,AND ALL IN BETWEEN ..ITS SO AWESOME ❤❤❤❤

[@williamzeller294]

Saw Allison at the Chicago Amphitheatre back in '70 or '71. It was a big blues fest-type show. Luther pretty much stole it. RIP, Mr. Allison.

[@eriktjabbes1625]

still the greatest concert of Blues I've ever been to

[@MrDaoJones]

I'm ashamed to say, being a blues listener for so many years, that I've just now gotten in to Luther Allison. WHERE HAS THIS GUY BEEN MY WHOLE LIFE!

[@nediAW]

+MrDaoJones He had to go to Europe in the 80's and early 90s to make a living, cuz the asshole music labels tried to change the way he made music. When someone had the good sense to get him back to the US his career took-off.....and he dies (too early) shortly after that.

[@frankiwaniw]

+MrDaoJones I found out about Luther thru my guitar magazine, said he was scary, swooping slidin, sweatin singi ho! kinda forgot how good he was. may he rest in peace

[@KatyGerman]

+MrDaoJones That's one of the most beautiful things about the blues; there is nearly always another genius who's waiting for the bushel to be lifted and for his/her light to shine out on all of us.

[@MrDaoJones]

Katy German agreed

[@jefferyschroeder5245]

He was an unbelievable live performer. What a showman. High energy all night. When he wrapped up the show with this tune he would walk off the stage and through the crowd singing with no microphone, just singing out and playing with a super long cord on the guitar.

[@mitchmover3284]

I saw Luther several times, and he never disappointed. His vocals blew me away just as much as his guitar work did. I got him to sign an album at one show, and under his signature he wrote "Love = Blues" followed by a smiley face. RIP Luther!

[@KAYZ-of2hw]

Gut wrenching blues ....you can't buy this stuff ....AMEN..THIS IS A BLEEDING HEART .ONE I KNOW AND LOVE ... Slow hand put a fabulous twist on this .so glad to see the wonderful artist keeping blues alive and kicking ......

[@larryrogalski4067]

What an amazing musician!!!! I had the privilege of seeing and meeting Luther in Denver at the Denver Blues festival many years ago I even got an autograph! What kind genuine man!! Love you LUTHER!!!

[@billyjohnson9293]

Nothing but the Blues to kick my ass when I wake up and crawl out of bed. And it has to be Loud to make me feel like a wild n crazy child that's the only way to make me feel good wild.

[@hairyhoudini5565]

This appears to have been his next to last concert, WOW. Luther Allison Festival International de Jazz de Montréal 1997 - Jul 6, 1997 Following concerts Luther Allison Barrymore Theatre, Madison, WI - Jul 10, 1997 Allison checked into a hospital on July 10, 1997 for dizziness and loss of coordination. It was discovered that he had a tumor on his lung that had metastasized to his brain.[10] He began radiation therapy on July 16, which lasted through August 1. In and out of a coma, Allison died at around 2:30 A.M. on August 12, 1997

[@Ted2414-h4d]

Send me back to Chicago, early 60's. In the clubs you could see Muddy, Elmore, Howlin Wolf, Hound Dog Taylor, all the greats like Luther.. Buddy Guy check him out. He's the last of the greats...

[@barbarablonsky7521]

MY GOD……I cannot get enough of this.

[@AmericanBluesScene]

LUTHER ALLISON!!!

[@mattmarshall2382]

THE SOUL FIXIN' MAN

[@blossombrown1588]

American Blues Scene Www

[@JerryStebbins]

I was very lucky in early August, 1997. Luther was playing at the Zoo. Sue McLean booked the show. She told me it was his last performance. I was there with my brother Joe. Both deceased. Joe and I were great friends but also didn't like each other from time to time but we always agreed about music. Best show ever. Seems like yesterday. Man, Luther is the best and that's tough to say, there are so many.

[@LesBarber]

The Soul Fixin Man Luther Allison RIP

[@gerardhaubert8210]

Often overlooked, Luther was the best of the Chicago Bluesmen!,

[@boyd43]

Wow, Luther Allison....that was something else. Gone too soon. RIP

[@miaoupha2370]

I miss him so much. The most memorable blues concerts I've ever seen were him and his son Bernard.

[@blashernandez3938]

How I wish I could have seen LA play live, he is the essence of the Blues as far as I'm concerned. There are too many wannabe Blues players who claim to play the blues but they don't have the soul and feel that LA had. An amazing bluesman and even his son can't really touch what he was all about.

[@ahsatharcarson2618]

THIS MAN SINGS WITH POWER

[@stevieg8071]

Great human & Humble that’s what he was ‘ a true Legend,,

[@marcosadami7956]

Sr. Luther, amazing thousand times. ..Thank you very very much!

[@algatte2441]

At 408, so cool, no microphone, he pulled that crowd right in. He was feelin it. Great player havin fun.

[@Syl-Vee]

RIP Luther Allison. You always had my heart.

[@RandomJammer]

Feelin' that feeling again...the feeling of the blues. Thanks for posting this gem.

[@cyndygough4107]

This is touching me WAY DOWN DEEP. Lawd have mercy .. That man has got SOUL. 💙💙

[@hilmarwensorra1215]

A LEGEND ... period.

[@jefferyschroeder5245]

Luther Allison was an amazing live performer and a true artist. Gone too soon. I will never forget the two concerts I saw with him. I javr never seen anyone break as many guitar strings during a show. He gave it 100% all night, start to finish, for over two and a half hours. Incredible.

[@billrieman1692]

The king of the blues and a wonderful beautiful man!

[@petedazer3381]

I saw this man perform at Bakers in Detroit, way back in the late 70’s, what a giant of a blues man!

[@richardpicarelli2450]

It just does not get any better than that. He knew he straight up nailed that guitar solo.

[@jeffdoyle4703]

Nothin' but the Blues. Thanks Luther.

[@jukewak]

Rest in the light Lu.. live your own blues with your great soul ....

[@EddieLeeFunn]

A bona fide bluesman... I will always remember him & the Zoo Bar (Lincoln, NE) and all the great music & good times of the blues with masters like Mr. Allison!

[@TheHonudiver]

Met him and saw him several times. Last time at Great Amwrican Music Hall several weeks before he passed. He played slide to this tune at our table. Awesome performer, musician, ans gentleman!

[@MrAlcides1611]

Great Slide Guitar, Great Band, Great Bluesman, Great Singer and Great Blues! What can we do more?

[@Un-lugar-especial]

Gracias ❤❤❤ Thanks bro. You look so good. More alive than ever. Now is when I start to appreciate you. Thanks for playing like that, you really inspire me. I hope to play with you someday. From Costa Rica.

[@deradler3261]

Wow!!! This sent chills up my spine. Gotdamn, man!!!

[@rdhawk70]

A true artist and gentleman, deeply missed....

[@KAYZ-of2hw]

Some way back hole in the wall,with this screaming,so strong it makes the dice jump,.. doesn't get much better ❤❤

[@VivBluesYid]

Wonderful wonderful performance - he had nothing to lose and he just lets it all hang out!!!! Died soon after but after a performance like that he must have been happy!!! One of the greats! Under-recognised till he was old and sick but this is his day in the sunshine!!! Love it!

[@BrianBoese-im8jm]

O my 🎶

[@rw4273]

The BEST blues singer to ever walk the planet PERIOD.

[@ramblerdave1339]

Saw him for the first time in Ann Arbor, at the State Theater in 1971, front of balcony, looking down at the stage. Amazing guitar player, especially on slide. Went to see him every time he was in the area, preferred his bluesier style, to Buddy Guy. Had at least 3 of his albums. A Blues Legend, RIP Luther!

[@scottstevens1657]

I sure wish I got to see Luther Allison live. Heard his shows were long and just great. I have , however been listening to his music for quite some time. Awesome.

[@pedrogomez4844]

Hace mas de 25 años me adentre en el blues, y uno de los que mas me gustaba era el, LUTHER ALLISON, compre varios cds de el, pero queria verlo en directo, y en esa epoca no habia muchos videos de Luther, no te pude ver entonces, pero te disfruto y te doy las gracias por los buenos ratos hoy, Viva el blues, viva Luther Allison

[@ZebdiAdel]

REALLY AMAZING .......THANKS

[@MarkMasters...]

Epic.Real.Honest.Legend.🙏😎

[@johnpirie3800]

Hands glistening with sweat; what a player. Long live the blues!!!

[@kettymartire7660]

Dio mioooooo che voce....che arrangiamento...che blues...Mr Allison lei è straordinario❤❤❤❤❤

[@johnboddy6211]

One of the great blues men with a true soulful voice, sadly missed R I P

[@bymyself9487]

DAMN DAMN DAMN Luther Some Hardest Blues SO AWESOME YES YES YES🖤💙

[@coravisser727]

This is so beautifull i get always tears in my eyes he gave always everything of himself.

[@Anna-nc8de]

Luther was AMAZING..

[@j.j.2491]

Saw him live in 1970 at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Amazing show, amazing guitar player, amazing singer. After the show, somebody stole his rental truck that had all his band equipment loaded on it.

[@ritterflax]

I was there as well. He played a second, unscheduled, night with borrowed instruments to get extra cash to replace his losses. I saw him live every time I had the chance since then. He remains my favorite blues musician. Moves me every time I hear his recordings.

[@j.j.2491]

@@ritterflax You were a student at Antioch then?

[@ritterflax]

@@j.j.2491 Yes!

[@u5778]

Straordinaria...eccellenza 2023

[@leepierrelephiri7944]

Most of these great bluesmen are dead and we have no new blues artist to continue and keep the music thriving. They wrote an indellible chapter on their timelines. i was born in the late 80s and wish so much that i also lived in that era too to experience it all the same way as most of you did at big live shows such as Montreaux and many others. Through you Im discovering these great blues artist everyday and thanx so much for posting them here, music lives.

[@infantrycord]

I would disagree sir. Check out Kirk Fletcher Keb 'Mo Just to start

[@teresapuppo1388]

Nato oggi. LEGGENDA❤

[@johngomez7314]

He died that year. I didn't hear about this blues great 'till after. Would've loved to see 'em play

[@bluesloverz]

Thank you Mr. Allison.

[@stevetrivago]

Sitting here amazed, emotional with appreciation... Tears creeping in...The Blues is the only genre that does that to me.. ✊🏼☮️🎸🎶🎶💟🎬

[@willidaeppen8121]

Saw Him one time live on Stage. It was the greatest Blues Performing i'v seen in my life.🥰🥰🥰

[@electricchurchmusic4298]

Excellent !!!

[@erniemaalat3588]

amazing legend wail blues man💪😁

[@dozukime]

Shivers!

[@teresapuppo1388]

Passionale, viscerale come pochi. Pelle d oca 😍

[@unsere]

The voice of blues!! Yes!

[@felixbruette4793]

So lucky!