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.
Robert Lucas | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 25, 1962 |
| Died | November 23, 2008 (aged 46) |
| Genres | Blues |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Formerly of | Bernie Pearl, Luke and the Locomotives, The Confessors, Canned Heat |
Background
editPersonal life
editLucas 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
editLucas 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
editLucas 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
editWith Luke And The Locomotives
edit- Luke And The Locomotives - Audioquest Music AQ-LP1004 (1991)[10]
As solo artist
editReferences
edit- ^ Billboard Artists/ Robert Lucas, Biography
- ^ The Guardian Wednesday 25 March 2009 Pop and Rock, Robert Lucas by Tony Russell
- ^ Los Angeles Times February 22, 1990 O.C POP Beat, Robert Lucas: A Back-to-the-Basics Bluesman by Mike Boehm
- ^ Billboard Artists/ Robert Lucas, Biography
- ^ Orange Coast Magazine November 1993 Page 19 Dana Point, Orange County Blues Festival September 24, 25 & 26 1993
- ^ New York Times November 25, 2008 Robert Lucas, Canned Heat Singer, Dies at 46 by The Associated Press
- ^ The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin Canned Heat
- ^ The Guardian Wednesday 25 March 2009 Pop and Rock, Robert Lucas by Tony Russell
- ^ New York Times November 25, 2008 Robert Lucas, Canned Heat Singer, Dies at 46 by The Associated Press
- ^ Discogs Robert Lucas – Luke And The Locomotives
- ^ Discogs Robert Lucas – Usin' Man Blues
- ^ Discogs AudioQuest Music – AQ-LP1011
- ^ Discogs Robert Lucas – Layaway
- ^ Discogs Robert Lucas – Completely Blue