“Illuminating views and straightforward recounting”

What do Luther Allison, Koko Taylor, Son Seals, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Magic Slim, Lonnie Mack, Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown, Little Charlie & the Nightca...

Chicago Tribune: “Bruce Iglauer finally tells the story” behind Alligator Records

Alligator Records founder Bruce Iglauer poses in his office recently in the Rogers Park neighborhood. (Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune) "The book docu...

In Living Blues #253
February 2018

Dear friends, I’m thrilled that so many of Alligator’s artists have been nominated for this year’s Blues Music Awards. Longtime Alligator family member R...

In Living Blues #249
June 2017

Dear Friends, It’s been a difficult couple of months since I last wrote to you. Three great musicians and longtime friends of mine passed away. James “Mr. Su...

In Living Blues #248
April 2017

Dear Friends, James Cotton - By Christopher Durst Word just reached us of the death of my longtime friend, blues master James Cotton. I had known James s...

In Living Blues #247
February 2017

Dear Friends, I’m happy to tell you that the newest member of the Alligator family, Johnny Lee Copeland, made his debut appearance on Christmas Eve with a lo...

In Living Blues #246
December 2016

Dear Friends, I had a great time at the Rawa Blues Festival in Poland last month. Both Toronzo Cannon and Shemekia Copeland tore up the festival. Shemekia ha...

In Living Blues #245
October 2016

Dear Friends, We’ve just released The Big Sound of Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, the 9th album from this beloved, true blue Chicago band. Ever since he ...

In Living Blues #244
August 2016

Dear Friends, Alligator Night at the Chicago Blues Festival, celebrating the label’s 45th anniversary, was a huge success. The crowd of tens of thousands lov...

In Living Blues #242
April 2016

Dear Friends, Hometown blues hero Toronzo Cannon launched his Alligator debut, The Chicago Way, with three scintillating performances in the Chicago area in ...