Who was the first act that you signed from the States, and how did you convince them that an American Blues musician would be better served by signing with a relatively unknown German label?
Luther Allison. He already lived in exile in Paris when I first met him. In the beginning it was strictly a European career building effort. But as we became more successful across Europe, Rocky and I started discussing the potential of a US comeback.
Which lead us to actually record 1994's Bad Love album (aka: Soul Fixin’ Man - the US version on Alligator Records) back in the states (with producer Jim Gaines in Memphis, TN) His prior albums were European recordings, using European producers and musicians. It’s been word of mouth ever since.
After Luther, Joanna Conner was my next artist signed. Now it’s the artists that talk about and recommend each other. Aynsley Lister and Ian Parker were recommended to me through Walter Trout. Ana Popovic came through Bernard Allison, who of course was introduced to me through Luther. Walter Trout came to me on the recommendation of Jim Gaines.
It’s been an ongoing snowball ever since we started to have a real presence on the US markets and became the only real world wide career development oriented blues label originating out of Europe. There are hundreds of local and national labels around the world but only a handful actually operating globally.
Have you ever questioned your sanity for getting into the business?
Many times. I used to work with “Screaming” Jay Hawkins, who had sort of a brain injury that originated from the Korean War in which he served and got shot in the head. He took strong morphine EVERY DAY of his life. He was just as amazing on stage as he was crazy off stage.
He loved to threaten promoters demanding more cash beyond the agreed amount about five minutes before show time, when there’s a hall full of people screaming for the show to start. He didn’t care. He would have left a sold out venue for the hotel any time he wanted to. Certain times into the cycle of his medication’s side effects you could not even talk to him, he was too spaced out.
Article comments
1 - Luther Allison, Jr.
That's a nice article. Thanks. There are a few corrections that need to be made and REPRINTED: 1st; Rocky is not my mother. My father is/still/was married to my mother, Fannie M Allison. She still lives/resides in Peoria, Ill. I wish that that these corrections are made and stop slandering our name and acknowledge and respect my Mom. Or acknowledge the fact that Rocky and my dad were, "kickin' it", maybe? Bernard and I are tired of being asked how is your mom (Rocky)? Our response is not nice.
2 - Richard Marcus
Luther Jr.
Yikes that's not cool is it. The best I can do for you, as this was an interview with Thomas Ruf, and he was the one who made those refrences, is to forward what you told me to him in Germany, and to my contact with Ruf Records in North America.
I have to say I agree with both you and your brother's opinion, I wouldn't have wanted anyone thinking any of my Dad's girlfriends or even my stepmom were my mom. I would have been pissed too.
I'll make sure the people at Ruf records are corrected so at least they won't make the same comments in the future. Also your comment is printed underneath this interview and I will see about getting it posted in the other places the interview has been published. Cool?
Once again I agree with what you're saying, and I'd be upset too. So I hope I can make sure that some people will stop saying it.
cheers
Richard Marcus
p.s If you want to contact me directly, email the site's publisher - you can find the contact information on the front page - and he can email your address and I'll get back to you.