Robert_Lucas_(musician)

Robert Lucas (musician)

Robert Lucas (musician)

Musical artist

Robert Lucas (July 25, 1962 – November 23, 2008) was an American blues musician, singer, guitarist and harmonica player, who became the front man for the group Canned Heat in the mid-1990s and was also a solo artist.

Quick Facts Born, Died ...

Background

Personal life

Lucas came from a middle-class family, and grew up in Long Beach, California. He took up harmonica at the age of 13. At around 16 he started playing slide-guitar.[1][2] While at school in the 1970s, he wasn't into the pop music of the day. He preferred the older blues records.[3]

Career

Lucas joined Bernie Pearl's band as a harmonica player after taking lessons from him. Some of the artists that he backed up as a harmonica player included Big Joe Turner, George "Harmonica" Smith, Pee Wee Crayton, Lowell Fulson, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, and Percy Mayfield. In 1986, he formed the band Luke & The Locomotives.[4] In 1992, he played shows in the UK in support of his AudioQuest album Built For Comfort. His backing musicians were: Rick Lacey (drums), Ian Edmundson (bass), and Gary Burnett (guitar). In 1993, he was one of the many acts scheduled to play at the Orange County Blues Festival.[5] In 1994, he joined Canned Heat and fronted the band.[6] He played on their 1999 album Boogie 2000.[7] In 2000, he left for a solo career, but by 2005, he had rejoined the band.[8]

Death

Lucas died from what appeared to be a drug overdose at a friends place in Long Beach, California. He was 46 years of age.[9]

Discography

With Luke And The Locomotives

  • Luke And The Locomotives - Audioquest Music AQ-LP1004 (1991)[10]

As solo artist

  • Usin' Man Blues - AudioQuest Music AQ-LP1001 (1990)[11]
  • Built For Comfort - AudioQuest Music AQ-LP1011 (1992)[12]
  • Layaway - AudioQuest Music AQ-LP1021 (1994)[13]
  • Completely Blue - AudioQuest Music AQ-CD1045 (1997)[14]

References

  1. [1]
    Billboard Artists/ Robert Lucas, Biography
  2. [2]
    The Guardian Wednesday 25 March 2009 Pop and Rock, Robert Lucas by Tony Russell
  3. [3]
    Los Angeles Times February 22, 1990 O.C POP Beat, Robert Lucas: A Back-to-the-Basics Bluesman by Mike Boehm
  4. [4]
    Billboard Artists/ Robert Lucas, Biography
  5. [5]
    Orange Coast Magazine November 1993 Page 19 Dana Point, Orange County Blues Festival September 24, 25 & 26 1993
  6. [6]
    New York Times November 25, 2008 Robert Lucas, Canned Heat Singer, Dies at 46 by The Associated Press
  7. [7]
    The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin Canned Heat
  8. [8]
    The Guardian Wednesday 25 March 2009 Pop and Rock, Robert Lucas by Tony Russell
  9. [9]
    New York Times November 25, 2008 Robert Lucas, Canned Heat Singer, Dies at 46 by The Associated Press
  10. [10]
    Discogs Robert Lucas – Luke And The Locomotives
  11. [11]
    Discogs Robert Lucas – Usin' Man Blues
  12. [12]
    Discogs AudioQuest Music – AQ-LP1011
  13. [13]
    Discogs Robert Lucas – Layaway
  14. [14]
    Discogs Robert Lucas – Completely Blue
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