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(1962-07-25)July 25, 1962
DiedNovember 23, 2008(2008-11-23) (aged 46)
GenresBlues
Occupation(s)Musician
Associated actsBernie 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
  • Usin' Man Blues - AudioQuest Music – AQ-LP 1001 - (1990) (LP)[11]
  • Built For Comfort - AudioQuest Music – AQ-LP1011 - (1992) (LP)[12]
  • Layaway - AudioQuest Music – AQ-LP 1021 - (1994) (LP)[13]
  • Completely Blue - AudioQuest Music – AQ-CD1045 - (1997) (CD)[14]

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