Lucious Brinson Johnson (August 30, 1934 – March 18, 1976), known as Luther "Georgia Boy" Johnson, was an American Chicago blues and electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. AllMusic journalist Ron Wynn stated, "Johnson's own inimitable vocals, raspy lines and tart guitar eventually create his own aura... a good, occasionally outstanding blues artist."
Life and career Johnson was born Lucious Brinson Johnson in Davisboro, Georgia. He was raised on a farm and taught himself to play guitar. After completing his service in the US Army, Johnson played guitar with the Milwaukee Supreme Angels, a local gospel group in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. However, he gravitated towards blues and formed his own trio in Milwaukee. He relocated to Chicago, Illinois, in the early 1960s. He backed Elmore James prior to James's death in 1963, and joined Muddy Waters' backing band in 1966. Johnson worked with various musicians during this period, including Chicago Bob Nelson. He recorded his debut album, Come On Home, in 1968, with Muddy Waters' band. Stefan Wirz, Illustrated Luther Johnson Discography. Retrieved 21 April 2020
In 1970, Johnson moved to Boston, Massachusetts, and found work on the blues festival and college circuits for the next few years. His album Born in Georgia was released by Black & Blue Records. It was followed by Chicken Shack (1974), Lonesome in My Bedroom (1975), and the final album issued in his lifetime, Get Down to the Nitty Gritty (1976). On records issued in his lifetime, he was credited as either Luther Johnson or Luther "Georgia Boy" Johnson, though he was also known to contemporaries as Luther "Snake" Johnson.
Johnson died of cancer in Boston on March 18, 1976. He was interred at the Mount Hope Cemetery, in Mattapan, Massachusetts, where in 2014 the Killer Blues Project organised placing a headstone for him.
Discography Year Title Record label Notes 1966 Live at Cafe Au Go Go BluesWay With John Lee Hooker 1966 The Blues Is Where It's At BluesWay With Otis Spann 1967 The Bottom of the Blues BluesWay With Otis Spann 1968 Cryin' Time Vanguard With Otis Spann 1969 Come On Home Douglas Music 1969 The Muddy Waters Blues Band Transatlantic With the Muddy Waters Blues Band 1972 Born in Georgia Black & Blue 1974 Chicken Shack Muse With the Muddy Waters Blues Band 1975 Lonesome in My Bedroom Evidence 1976 Get Down to the Nitty Gritty New Rose Records 1992 They Call Me the Snake New Rose Records 2002 They Call Me the Popcorn Man Black & Blue Records
See also List of Chicago blues musicians List of electric blues musicians
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