Luther Monroe Perkins (January 8, 1928 – August 5, 1968) was an American country music guitarist renowned for his work with Johnny Cash and their "boom-chicka" rhythmic style. is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Memphis (disambiguation). ... is the 217th day of the year (218th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Nickname: Location in Davidson County and the state of Tennessee Coordinates: , Country United States State Tennessee Counties Davidson County Founded: 1779 Incorporated: 1806 Government  - Mayor Bill Purcell (D) Area  - City  526. ... the very definition of a guitarist is cody allen and taylor hines because of there un ending guitar skills and awsomnes. ... is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 217th day of the year (218th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... the very definition of a guitarist is cody allen and taylor hines because of there un ending guitar skills and awsomnes. ... For the song of the same name, recorded by Tracy Byrd and later by Jason Aldean, see Johnny Cash (song). ...

Early life

Luther Perkins was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on January 8, 1928. His family soon moved to Como, Mississippi, where it is assumed that Perkins grew up. While Luther was a young boy, he had a dream. He dreamt that there was a rainbow with a pot of gold at the end. When Luther woke up, he realized that he knew the area in which the pot of gold was. He set out there with a shovel. He arrived and began digging. Much to his disappointment, all that Luther found was some old bricks. He took the bricks and sold them to a local construction company for two cents apiece. With the money he earned, he bought his first guitar. For other uses, see Memphis (disambiguation). ... is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Como is a town located in Panola County, Mississippi. ... See also Wikimedia Commons has multimedia related to: Bricks Masonry Brickwork Ceramics Fire brick In role-playing games, a brick is a character whose main useful skill is being able to take a great deal of damage (usually physical damage) and act as a shield for weaker allies. ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ...

Once reaching adulthood, Perkins returned to Memphis and worked as an auto mechanic. It is unknown where Perkins got the qualification to be an automechanic. Two of his co-workers would radically change his life; Marshall Grant and Roy Cash. Marshall Grant (born May 1928) is best known as the bassist of the Tennessee Two, Johnny Cashs backing band, in which he played with Luther Perkins. ...

Humble beginnings

In 1954, Roy Cash's brother, Johnny Cash, arrived in Memphis and was introduced to Perkins and Grant. As it turned out, all three of them enjoyed playing guitar, so they decided to get together and pick a bit. For the song of the same name, recorded by Tracy Byrd and later by Jason Aldean, see Johnny Cash (song). ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ...

All three of the men had the same upbringing, and all enjoyed the same music. They would sit on Luther or Marshall's porch and pick their guitars and sing. Often their neighbors would sit down in the yard and listen. Johnny was often reluctant to play his own songs.

The trio decided if there were to form a band that would play professionally, they needed to change their line-up. At the time, all three of them were playing rhythm guitar, so it was obvious they needed something different. Johnny, who sang the most, was going to stick to playing rhythm and singing.

Marshall said he knew where he could get a bass fiddle for around 25 dollars. Marshall found the bass and bought it. He had a friend who played bass professionally and asked him for directions on how to tune it. The directions were quite complicated, but the three men finally got it tuned. Since the bass had no frets, Marshall put tape on it where ever he found certain notes like E, A, and B.

Luther was selected to play lead guitar. A friend of his father's told him where he could buy a Fender Esquire for a low price. He bought it despite it being very badly damaged. The condition of the wood wasn't the best and the volume knob was stuck on full. Luther then bought a Sears Silvertone 1300 amplifier to go along with his electric. The Fender Esquire is a solid body electric guitar manufactured by Fender, and was the first guitar sold by Fender, in 1950. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

When the group got together with their new line-up, Marshall said, "Let's play something." Luther asked him, "In what key?". Marshall said, " I don't know. Let me look at this thing for a minute. E looks pretty good but...don't change no chords on me!". So they began playing away. And so with the "Boom, Boom" on Marshall's Bass, the steady "Chicka" of Johnny's rhythm, and the "Click, Clack" of Luther's guitar, the "Boom-Chicka-Boom" sound was born quickly.

By September 1954, and after about four months of regular picking sessions, they played their first public performance at Galloway United Methodist Church on the corner of Cooper and Young in Memphis (still there today). Due to fading memories and virtually no documentary evidence, the details about this performance are unclear. All agree that the performance was indeed at Galloway, but the nature of the performance differs between Marshall and Johnny. Both agree that they were invited to perform by a neighbor of either Luther or Marshall who had attended one of their regular picking sessions and asked if they would be willing to do the concert. Allen Caldwell, who was a member of Galloway at this time and still is to this day, claims he was the one who invited the trio. Johnny says they performed as a part of the church's regular Sunday service. Marshall recalls a mid-week basement performance, drawing no more than ten elderly ladies. He recalls they sat up in about five minutes, near an electric outlet, so Luther could plug his amplifier in, and played "everything they knew" for about twenty minutes. Also note, Marshall's recollection is more consistent, while Johnny's seems to vary among different accounts. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The band's second performance was a fund-raiser at Bob's Barbecue on Summer Avenue. The cause was for a friend of Marshall's, Ralph Johnson, who had been injured in a powerboat collision while racing in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Johnson's racing buddies got together and organized the event to help pay for the expensive hospital bills.

The third public performance could be dubbed their first "professional" performance. The trio got paid fifty dollars by the Hurst Motor Company (next to Automobile Sales) to cruise up and down Union Avenue in the back of a flatbed truck all Saturday afternoon. There was no means of electricity for Luther's amp, so Luther and Johnny played rhythm while Marshall played bass. Marshall, looking back, said , "We were on the move all the time. Nobody paid any attention to us. Nobody knew who we were. We laughed about it. But we got paid." The Union Avenue is an ungraded stakes race run at Saratoga Race Course each year for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up. ...

Johnny wasn't content with being a part-time picker. He wanted to be a professional musician. By Late 1954, Johnny had already contacted Sam Phillips, of Sun Records, twice by phone about an audition. The first time, he told Phillips he was a gospel singer, but was turned down since gospel was too hard to market. The second time, he said he was a country singer, but was again declined. So Johnny decided he would confront Phillips face-to-face. He arrived at the Memphis Sun Recording Studio early one morning, before any employees arrived, with his guitar. Sam Phillips was the first to arrive that morning. Johnny approached him and said, "Mr. Phillips, sir, if you listen to me, you'll be glad you did." Phillips replied, "Well, I like to hear a boy with confidence in him. Come on in!" Johnny auditioned for Phillips. After hearing some of his gospel songs Phillips stopped him and told John to, "Go out and sin then come back". Sam Phillips, born Samuel Cornelius Phillips (January 5, 1923 – June 30, 2003), was a record producer who played an important role in the emergence of rock and roll as the major form of popular music in the 1950s. ... Label of the fourth Sun Records Sun Records has been the name for four 20th century record labels. ...

John soon came back with Luther and Marshall in tow. Phillips did not like what they were playing but was fascinated by their simple and effective sound. John realized that it wasn't working as he thought, so he 'shifted gears'. He played some of his songs such as 'Folsom Prison Blues', 'Hey Porter' and 'Cry, Cry, Cry'. Phillips felt he had something very marketable, because they started recording on the spot. And just like that Johnny Cash and the Tennesse Two got signed to one of the greatest record labels in history. Folsom Prison Blues is an American country music song written by Johnny Cash in the early 1950s and originally recorded with his trio in 1956 for the Sun Records label. ... One of Johnny Cashs earliest songs. ... Cry Cry Cry is a song written and recorded by Johnny Cash. ... A record label is a brand created by companies that specialize in manufacturing, distributing and promoting audio and video recordings, on various formats including compact discs, LPs, DVD-Audio, SACDs, and cassettes. ...

Touring with Johnny

As with most Rock N' Roll artists of the time, the band primarily toured the South Eastern United States, Going only as far west as Texas, and only as far north as West Virginia. The boys were soon putting many, many miles on Johnny's Plymouth. Marshall later said that if he and Luther hadn't been auto mechanics, they wouldn't have gotten half of the miles out of that car. Soon Johnny traded the car with one of his in-laws and they never had any major trouble with automobiles again. Official language(s) No official language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Largest metro area Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... Official language(s) English Capital Charleston Largest city Charleston Area  Ranked 41st  - Total 24,244 sq mi (62,809 km²)  - Width 130 miles (210 km)  - Length 240 miles (385 km)  - % water 0. ... , Plymouth (Cornish: ) is a city of 243,795 inhabitants (2001 census) in the south-west of England, or alternatively the West Country, and is situated within the traditional and ceremonial county of Devon at the mouths of the rivers Plym and Tamar and at the head of one of the...

Soon the trio was playing professionally more than they were working back home in Memphis. Johnny had quit his job as soon as he signed onto Sun. Luther and Marshall each took a 6 month leave of absence. They never returned.

Then with the time to do larger tours, the trio encountered a new enemy: sleep. They had to drive late at night, exhausted, and that can be dangerous. Johnny and many of the people on tour started taking amphetamines so that they'd be alert and prepared for driving. It is not known whether or not Luther took any kind of stimulant while on tour, but he probably didn't. Marshall and Johnny often said that Luther was a clean slate except for his smoking habit. In Marshall Grant's book, he states that Luther used amphetamines as did Johnny Cash, but that Luther did not do all of the 'crazy' things like Cash. He didn't let the problem escape his control.

Johnny's problems grew when he and June Carter began having feelings for each other sometime in the late 50's or early 60's. Luther's and Marshall's problems grew too, because they had to make sure Johnny didn't wind up hurting or killing himself. Things got even more hectic when Johnny switched from Sun to Columbia Records in 1958 and drummer W.S. Holland joined the group in 1960. June Carter Cash (born Valerie June Carter) (June 23, 1929 - May 15, 2003), middle daughter of Ezra (Eck) Carter and Maybelle Carter (Mother Maybelle), was a singer, songwriter, a member of the first country music recording stars, the Carter Family, and married to legendary singer Johnny Cash. ... Columbia Records is the oldest brand name in recorded sound, dating back to 1888, and was the first record company to produce pre-recorded records as opposed to blank cylinders. ... Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... W.S. Holland earned the nickname Fluke because at the time he made his first recording for the legendary Sun Records he had only played the drums once before! He performed on the original version of Blue Suede Shoes by Carl Perkins and his life was never to be the... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

When Johnny was working in Nashville, he'd stay with Gene Ferguson and his family, but there were times when Cash's behavior was so unacceptable that Ferguson would make him stay in his office downstairs. There were a couple of times when Gene went to wake him and he didn't respond, and Ferguson couldn't feel a heartbeat. Once, Ferguson called Luther to ask him what he should do, and Luther said, "Well, he'll either wake up or die."

When asked about Luther's feelings towards Johnny Cash's drug problem, Marshall and Luther's wife both stated that it was not like Luther to turn his back on anyone, including someone who was having problems like Cash was having. Johnny Western once said that Luther seemed to almost be amazed, if not amused, by the many weird things Cash would do during his mood altering days though he never encouraged the troubled singer. Luther worried about Cash but realized (according to Marshall) that a man can only help himself when and if he wants to be helped and he remained always supportive.

In Johnny Cash: The Autobiography, Johnny recalls "In my very worst times, Luther's house was one of the ports in my storm. I could go over there at any hour of the night and, and Luther and his wife, Margie, would get up and make coffee, listen to me, and try to make me feel okay."

During the tours, the guys would often pull pranks on each other and at the hotels in which they stayed. One time John and Marshall had cut a hole through the walls of two rooms because they didn't have a door. Luther looked at the 'doorway' and said, "Well I'll be damned, I'll just be damned." One time before a show in 1962, Cash found an old dog on the streets that was about as dirty as anything he had ever seen...Cash somehow got the dog into Luther's room while he was out and returning to the hotel restaurant for dinner. Cash proceeded to order room service for the dog (about two dozen hamburgers) before giving him a bath. After the damp dog gobbled up the burgers Cash pulled down the sheets so the dog could get into bed and sleep. When Luther got back to his room he saw the damp dog sleeping there in a saturated bed and went about sleeping right alongside the dog for the night, never once griping the next morning about sharing his room and bed with the dog. Rayovac Batteries had a big show called the Rayovac Country and Western Road Show. Howard Crockett and guitarist Cecil Manco played the road show along with Johnny Cash, Bob Luman and others. After the show, Marshall, Luther, and Cecil were playing cards in the motel. Johnny was in the other room trying to sleep. Apparently the three were noisy and Johnny hollered, "Hey you all - knock it off!" They said "Just one more hand Johnny and we'll be through." The next sound they heard was a WHAM!!!!!! Johnny shot the light out with a real pistol! They quit right then and went to bed. Next day he got up and paid for the hole in the ceiling and that was it. For other uses, see Hotel (disambiguation). ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1967, John finally cleaned up his act with help from June, Luther, Marshall, and a local doctor. Luther helped with Johnny's detoxification and they were soon touring again. Year 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ...

Live at Folsom Prison

The highest point in Luther's career occurred on January 13, 1968. On that day Johnny Cash and The Tennesse Three, along with the Statler Brothers and (unrelated) Carl Perkins performed two shows live at Folsom Prison at Repressa, California. One of the shows was taped. All through the show, Luther's guitar work was dead on and the Album went on to be one of the greatest in history. January 13 is the 13th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The cover of the Statlers 1991 album All American Country The Statler Brothers are an American country music vocal group founded in 1955 in Virginia. ... Carl Lee Perkins (April 9, 1932 – January 19, 1998) was an American pioneer of rockabilly music, a mix of rhythm and blues and country music that was recorded most notably at Sun Records in Memphis beginning in 1954. ... East gate, Folsom State Prison, California Folsom State Prison (FSP), also known as Folsom State Prison, Represa is one of 33 prison facilities operated by the California Department of Corrections (CDC). ...

The album is the clearest example of Luther's guitar work in existence. It is also the last known recording of Luther.

Final days

In the spring of 1968, Luther and Margie began to make plans to buy a new split-level house overlooking Old Hickory Lake on Riverwood Drive in Hendersonville, Tennessee, not too far from Johnny's house. However, the Johnny Cash Show had a tour booked in England from May 4-19, delaying the plans. Meanwhile in England, the news of the tour swept through the country and his concerts drew phenomenal crowds and press attention. Along with an already hectic schedule, they had to make it to London on May 10 for a taping which would broadcast live on the BBC, consisting of two sets, as did most of these concerts. Immediately following the taping, Luther came down with a serious case of bronchitis. The condition continued to worsen and he eventually had to be hospitalized. The tour would go on without him, with Carl Perkins filling Luther's duties as lead guitarist. Carl had been with the Cash Show for a few years and knew Luther's licks very well. However, the British press made constant note of Luther's absence from the show and expressed how disappointed the fans were that Luther could not play. When the tour was over and the Cash troupe returned back to the United States, Luther was still receiving medical care in a London hospital. A few days later, he was released and was able to return home. is the 124th day of the year (125th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

However, when he returned home, he was exhausted. Doctors predicted it would take several months for Luther to regain his strength and energy fully. They recommended that he take a break from touring and rest for a few months. They also said he should strongly consider quitting his cigarette habit. In spite of the doctors recommendations, Luther went ahead and moved into his new split-level home and completed a series of numerous shows that were booked during the summer coinciding with the release of "At Folsom Prison", taped a televisionshow with Cash and the Tennessee Three called The Smothers Brothers Hour (July 25-28) that would be broadcast on August 28, 1968, and during July 29-31, wrapped up a grueling three days of recording at Columbia Studios in Nashville for "The Holy Land" album. By the end of July, everyone noticed how drained and exhausted Luther was. He kept telling everyone how much he wanted to sleep. is the 240th day of the year (241st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

As he drove home on from the final day, July 31,of the recording sessions, he talked with Cash about how anxious he was to be able to go home and relax by doing a little fishing and catching up on some much needed sleep. The both discussed a show at Carnegie Hall that manager Saul Holiff was trying to book for October and also returning back to the UK for a second tour there which would have them playing the famed London Palladium, which Columbia planned on recording for a future album release. Luther was genuinely excited about it all - especially plans by either CBS or ABC for a possible television series sometime in the spring of 1969 and an upcoming documentary that was planned to begin filming later in August - but his need for serious rest was more than noticeable over the last month. is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ...

However, a final July 28, 1968 concert at Buck Lake Ranch in Angola, Indiana would be the last time a live audience would hear the legendary sound of Luther Perkins on the guitar. is the 209th day of the year (210th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Death

Sometime during the early evening hours of Friday, August 2, Columbia representative and good friend of Luther, Gene Ferguson, called the Perkins home in Hendersonville, Tennessee to ask if Luther would be joining their regular Friday-night card game, usually extending well into the next morning. Luther always participated in the card game, but this time turned down Ferguson's invitation, saying he was really tired and wanted to finish filling out some tax papers he needed to submit dealing with a publishing company/artist agency that he planned on starting in Nashville to help promote undiscovered local talent. This would give performers the same break he was given back in 1955, and one artist he planned to work with was Columbia Studios janitor, Kris Kristofferson, who was also very close to Luther. Ferguson was unable to persuade Luther to come over. He later stated that even though he knew that the last few months had been draining for Luther, he regrets not pushing the issue harder, as Luther usually gave when card-playing was involved. is the 214th day of the year (215th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Kristoffer Kris Kristofferson (born June 22, 1936) is an influential American country music songwriter, singer and actor. ...

The next morning, Saturday August 3, Luther awoke much earlier than usual, probably between 3:00-5:00 a.m. Careful not to wake Margie or Kathy, he first went out back and walked down to the banks of Old Hickory Lake. Sometime earlier, Luther ran a trotline out into the lake, hoping to take advantage of the great catfishing the lake has to offer. When he checked the line, he was happy to find a catfish awaiting him. He then cleaned it and brought it back up to the house. When he got inside, he laid it in the kitchen sink with a note he had written to Margie saying, "See I told you I could catch a catfish." She told him that his trotline would never work, but she was proven wrong and Luther was pleased about it.* is the 215th day of the year (216th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Luther then sat down at the kitchen table and began to fill out the tax papers. At some point within the next hour or so, he decided to take a break. He lit up a cigarette and then, not thinking twice, went into the den and laid down on the couch...he drifted off to sleep with that cigarette in his hand. When the burning cigarette hit the floor, the room was filled with smoke and flames within minutes. Luther was awoken by the disturbance and attempted to flee to the sliding glass doors which led outside, but was overcome by the smoke and heat and collapsed on the floor.

A little before 6:00 a.m., his little daughter Kathy awoke and ventured downstairs, only to find most of the den and kitchen in flames. Down in the den area, she saw her dad lying on the floor, propped up against the sliding glass doors, surrounded by smoke and flames. Immediately, she went to wake Margie who called the fire department. She was then met by a neighbor, who with Margie's help, dragged Luther's body from the blaze that was consuming the den.

Hendersonville Fire Department received a call about a house fire on Riverwood Drive at 6:05 a.m. The blaze, resulting in $30,000-40,000 of damage, was extinguished within twenty-five minutes. Meanwhile, Luther was rushed to ICU at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, unconscious with severe second and third degree burns covering almost fifty percent of his body. Margie called Johnny as soon as she could. Johnny came down with Marshall Grant and Carl Perkins. They were told by doctors that Luther seemed to be doing just fine, though he was still unconscious. Johnny later stated that when they went into the room to see Luther, it immediately hit him that his friend was not going to wake up.

Luther lingered for a few days while the country music world prayed. The Saturday night Grand Ole Opry show had a moment of prayer for Luther before the regular show.

After never regaining consciousness, Luther Perkins died at the age of 40 as a result of severe burns and smoke inhalation. He was buried on August 7 at Woodlawn East Cemetery in Hendersonville. His pallbearers were Marshall Grant, WS Holland, Roger Miller, Billy Graves, Gene Ferguson, Charlie Dick (Patsy Cline's husband), and Johnny Cash. At the burial, before Luther's casket was lowered into the ground, the mourners stepped back to let Johnny have a moment by himself. Tommy Cash recalls over-hearing Johnny say, "Thank you Luther." is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Tommy Cash pictured with brother, Johnny Cash Tommy Cash is a brother of Johnny Cash. ...

Cash later played tribute to his friend with the recorded song, "When Luther Played The Boogie-Woogie."

Awards and recognitions

Perkins' pioneering contribution to the rockabilly genre has been recognized in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music to emerge during the 1950s. ... The Rockabilly Hall of Fame was established on March 21, 1997 to present early rock and roll history and information relative to the artists and personalities involved in this pioneering American music genre. ...

Guitar style

Luther was known for his simple and effective guitar style. For the verses of songs Luther would simply put his hand of the bridge of his guitar to muffle the strings while playing a root-harmony-root pattern. Luther enjoyed using slapback delay and later spring reverb on his guitars to get a distinct 'carvernous/water dropping' like sound.

Luther was extremely partial to Fender and its guitars and amplifiers. He had several Esquires, a pair of Fender Jazzmasters, and a Jaguar. He used Fender Amplifers which included The Fender Champ, the Fender Bassman, The Fender Pro, The Fender concert, and finally the Fender Blackface Super Reverb.

Walk the Line

In the 2005 biopic of Johnny Cash, Luther is portrayed by Dan John Miller. He is shown exactly as he was in real life. Miller copied many of Perkins's characteristics such as his simple way of talking and his extreme concentration and emotionlessness onstage.

The cause of Perkins' death is alluded to in the film. On a late night bus ride to a performance, Cash passes Perkins asleep with a lit cigarette in his mouth and puts it out.

Also in the film he is seen playing a Fender Telecaster. This is inaccurate, for Perkins was never known to use or own a Telecaster, but an Esquire. The Fender Telecaster, also known as a Tele, is a typically dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender. ...

External links

• www.lutherperkins.com