Luther Dickinson Talks Allmans, Phil & Friends And More In Fascinating Interview

The latest installment of journalist Jarrett Bellini’s Apparently This Matters video series features guitarist Luther Dickinson. Luther and Jarrett discuss many topics over the course of a 15-minute chat.

First, Luther talks about how important the repertoire is to such legacy acts as The Rolling Stones, Phil & Friends and his own band. Dickinson discusses how the North Mississippi Allstars are a “working class band” that 20 years after forming travels via van. He also hits upon the influence of Big Star and how he hopes to inspire future musicians. Luther grew up on the music of The Allman Brothers Band and Jimi Hendrix, but held off on the Grateful Dead throughout his youth. He talks about listening to “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed” off the ABB’s Live At Fillmore East LP while “tripping balls” and thinking “that’s what I want to do with my life.”

The guitarist spends plenty of time talking about his relationship with his father Jim Dickinson, a famed record producer/musician who passed away in 2009. Luther also gets into why he stopped smoking pot when he was on the road with The Black Crowes. Another topic discussed is playing with Phil Lesh. Chris Robinson hipped Luther to the music of the Dead during the guitarist’s time in the Crowes. He talks about how you get into the zone of improvisational rock and roll with Phil faster than anyone he’s ever played with. Lesh spent days teaching Dickinson the intricacies of the Grateful Dead’s repertoire, something for which Luther really appreciated. A funny moment comes when Dickinson recalls covering “Ramblin’ Man” with a Phil Lesh & Friends lineup featuring Anders Osborne and the pair totally botched the main riff.

Watch the latest installment of Apparently This Matters:

Here’s video of the botched “Ramblin’ Man” Luther discusses (captured by Sean Roche):