Robert Lucas (musician)
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 46) | (aged
Genres | Blues |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Associated acts | Bernie Pearl, Luke and the Locomotives, The Confessors, Canned Heat |
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 Smith, Pee Wee Creighton, Lowell Fulson, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson and Percy Mayfield. In 1986 he formed the band Luke & the Locomotives.[4] In 1993, he was one of the acts scheduled to play at the Orange County Blues Festival.[5] In 1992, he played shows in the UK in support of his Audioquest album Built For Comfort. His backing musicians were: Rick Lacey (drums), Gary Burnett (guitar) and Ian Edmundson (bass). In 1994 he joined Canned Heat and fronted the band.[6] He played on their 1999 album Boogie 2000.[7] In 2000, he left the band for a solo career.[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
Luke And The Locomotives
- Luke And The Locomotives - Audioquest Music – AQ-CD1004 - (1991) (LP)[10]
Robert Lucas
References
- 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