Luther invented funk-rock in the early 1970s and performed it publicly in 1973.
Luther is Robert Wheeler Pemberton, who was born in Ash Surrey in 1955, 19th September at 5.40 am. He is a Virgo. He is a poet. Musically he was classically trained (at St. Albans School) but switched to popular music in the late 1960s. He was astonished by Hendrix. His name changed to Robert Luther-Smith on the re-marriage of his mother in 1969. In Bournemouth people started calling him "Luther", "Luth" or "Loofa":- it stuck.
Luther sings, plays guitar and keyboards, writes the music and lyrics and produces the records. In effect they are classical pieces written as "pop music", that is to say he combined the on-beat of rock with the off-beat of funk or soul (etc) and the result was funk-rock. That is, a rock beat, with syncopation and, generally, a rock guitar.
Luther went on to tour in Germany and the UK in 1973 and the UK and recorded variously in London at Charisma , 20th Century Fox/Warner Brothers and Denmark Street generally has had an album out every four years, starting in 1974.
After signing with Charisma (1973) and then RCA (1978), he saw what a waste of time corporations are. He learnt recording with Tony Arnold in 1975/6. In fact, he knew Tony before Robert Fripp did! Gosh! He was introduced to Paul Beavis the drummer in 1977 at Tonys Penn Hill studio. He worked with John Kongas and toured with Errol Brown/Hot Chocolate in 1982; in that year he produced the album featuring I'd rather be your friend and in 1983, Go! At that point he realised he had learned his stuff.
In Luthers opinion record producing is EASY and much ado about nothing is made by producers generally. Just record it! And be nice! Luther created his own label Arthouse Records, his production company is post-modern music and his management company is Wheeler Smith Associates. He is humorous and well-read. Gertcha! He is a member of the Performing Right Society (since 1982) and has a degree in psychology (1998). He has a digital studio in his house. Blimey!
His lyrics are particularly important, and can be eloquent and forceful, as well as romantic. The 1990 album "Theory of Rhythm" included Portland and Filling you up (with my love), with the Stacey twins in the ascendant! In 1994 he brought out the acclaimed "Funkygroovy" as a "best of " album. "Pop Art" was released in 1998 (Pet Shop Boys be aware!) on which is the classic "If I Loved You". 2003 saw the release of his first album recorded entirely by himself in his own digital studio at home and the unleasing on the world of his own "psychobabblerap".
copyright 2006. Robert Luther-Smith/wheelersmith.co.uk/arthouserecords.co.uk. Permission is granted to copy modify and distribute this document under the terms of the GNU documentation license 1.1 or any later version of the free software foundation.