Tribute to Luther ‘Guitar Jr.’ Johnson featuring The Nighthawks also The Blues Express

Name: Tribute to Luther ‘Guitar Jr.’ Johnson featuring The Nighthawks also The Blues Express
Start: 2024-07-19T20:30:00-04:00
Location: Towne Crier Cafe

Schedule

Fri Jul 19 2024 at 08:30 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Towne Crier Cafe | Beacon, NY

The Towne Crier is honored to present this high-caliber tribute performance by The Nighthawks, the legendary blues and roots rock band from the Washington, DC, area; and The Blues Express, which features Frankie Maneiro and Mickey Maguire, former members of Luther’s band, The Magic Rockers.
When Bluesman Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson passed away at age 83 on Christmas Day, he left behind a musical legacy as long and wide as the Mississippi River from the Delta to Chicago. Johnson was best known for playing Chicago West Side Soul at the same time as Buddy Guy.
Luther was no stranger to the Towne Crier stage, having played at our Pawling and Beacon locations many times over the years.
In the early 1960s, Luther gained a following in Chicago’s West Side blues clubs and played for a few years with his mentor, Magic Sam. From 1973 to 1979 he traveled and recorded with Muddy Waters. The band at the time included guitarist Bob Margolin, bass player Calvin “Fuzz” Jones, and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith on drums. By 1980, he was on his own, touring and recording three albums with The Nighthawks as well as four tracks on Alligator’s second series of Living Chicago Blues anthologies. His role in the movie ‘The Blues Brothers’ brought him world wide attention.
In 1983 he won a Grammy for his work on the Atlantic Records compilation album "Blues Explosion."
Luther toured right up until his death with a band he called The Magic Rockers, named after Magic Sam. He once said that his philosophy of life was: “It ain’t what you put in your bread to make it good. It’s the way you roll your dough.”
Tickets $25 advance, $30 door