Biography

Radio Contact:
Tim Kolleth
radio@allig.com

Back in 1971, 23-year-old blues fanatic Bruce Iglauer was frustrated and motivated. As a shipping clerk for Bob Koester's Chicago-based Delmark Records, Iglauer wanted the label to release an album by his favorite band, Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers. Koester just wasn't interested, so Iglauer gathered up what little money he had and decided to do it himself. Recorded live in the studio in just two nights during the spring of 1971, the recordings captured the band at the height of its powers. Hound Dog and his HouseRockers simply plugged in and played the same beat-up guitars through the same raggedy amps they used when they played at blue-collar blues clubs like Florence's Lounge on the South Side. At a cost of $900, Iglauer produced a direct-to-two-track master tape—no overdubs—which he mixed as they went along. With the remainder of his money, he pressed 1000 copies of Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers. And with that, Alligator Records (named after the way Iglauer clicks out rhythm patterns with his teeth when he likes a song) was born.

Today, proudly independent Alligator Records is home to some of the world's foremost blues and roots rock talent and is regarded by fans and the media alike as the top contemporary blues record label in the world. The Washington Post said, "Alligator is the premiere blues label." The Chicago Sun-Times stated, "Alligator is numero uno among indie blues labels, with artists representing the best in contemporary blues."

To preview music from Alligator's Anniversary, Christmas, and various artist compilations click on the album below
God Don't Never Change: The Songs of Blind Willie Johnson
50 Years Of Genuine Houserockin Music, Pt. 1
50 Years Of Genuine Houserockin Music, Pt. 2
50 Years Of Genuine Houserockin Music, Pt. 3
50 Years Of Genuine Houserockin Music, Pt. 4
Alligator Records 45th Anniversary Collection
Alligator Records 40th Anniversary Collection, Vol. 1
Alligator Records 40th Anniversary Collection, Vol. 2
Alligator Records Christmas Collections
A Blues Christmas
The New Bluebloods

To preview music from A.C. Reed click on the album below
I'm In The Wrong Business

To preview music from Albert Collins click on the album below
Cold Snap
Deluxe Edition
Don't Lose Your Cool
Frostbite
Frozen Alive!
Ice Pickin'
Live In Japan

To preview music from Albert Collins, Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland click on the album below
Showdown!

To preview music from Anders Osborne click on the album below
American Patchwork
Black Eye Galaxy
Peace
Three Free Amigos

To preview music from Ann Rabson click on the album below
Music Makin' Mama

To preview music from Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows click on the album below
Live From Chicago - Bigger Than Life!
Playing For Keeps

To preview music from Big Walter Horton click on the album below
Big Walter Horton w/ Carey Bell

To preview music from Billy Boy Arnold click on the album below
Back Where I Belong

To preview music from Billy Branch and the Sons Of Blues click on the album below
Roots and Branches - The Songs Of Little Walter

To preview music from Bob Margolin click on the album below
Down In The Alley
My Blues & My Guitar

To preview music from Buckwheat Zydeco click on the album below
Lay Your Burden Down

To preview music from Buddy Guy click on the album below
Stone Crazy!

To preview music from Buddy Guy & Junior Wells click on the album below
Alone & Acoustic

To preview music from Carey Bell click on the album below
Good Luck Man

To preview music from Carey Bell & Lurrie Bell click on the album below
Seconid Nature

To preview music from Carolyn Wonderland click on the album below
Tempting Fate

To preview music from The Cash Box Kings click on the album below
Ocsar's Motel
Hail To The Kings!
Royal Mint

To preview music from Cephas & Wiggins click on the album below
Shoulder To Shoulder
Somebody Told The Truth

To preview music from Charles Brown click on the album below
One More For The Road

To preview music from Charlie Musselwhite click on the album below
Mississippi Son
Ace Of Harps
Deluxe Edition
In My Time
Signature
The Well

To preview music from Chris Cain click on the album below
Raisin' Cain

To preview music from Chris O'Leary click on the album below
The Hard Line

To preview music from Christone "Kingfish" Ingram click on the album below
Live In London
662
Kingfish

To preview music from Clifton Chenier click on the album below
I'm Here!

To preview music from Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown click on the album below
No Looking Back
Pressure Cooker
Standing My Ground

To preview music from Coco Montoya click on the album below
Writing On The Wall
The Best of Coco Montoya: The Alligator Records Years
Can't Look Back
Coming In Hot
Dirty Deal
Hard Truth
Suspicion

To preview music from Corey Harris click on the album below
Fish Ain't Bitin'
Greens From The Garden

To preview music from Curtis Salgado click on the album below
The Beautiful Lowdown
Damage Control
Soul Shot

To preview music from Curtis Salgado & Alan Hager click on the album below
Rough Cut

To preview music from Dave Hole click on the album below
Short Fuse Blues

To preview music from Delbert McClinton click on the album below
Live From Austin

To preview music from Eddy Clearwater click on the album below
West Side Strut

To preview music from Elvin Bishop click on the album below
Ace In The Hole
Big Fun
Can't Even Do Wrong Right
Don't Let The Bossman Get You Down

To preview music from Elvin Bishop's Big Fun Trio click on the album below
Elvin Bishop's Big Fun Trio
Something Smells Funky 'Round Here

To preview music from Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite click on the album below
100 Years Of Blues

To preview music from Elvin Bishop & Little Smokey Smothers click on the album below
That's My Partner

To preview music from Eric Lindell click on the album below
The Best of Eric Lindell
Change In The Weather
Gulf Coast Highway
Low On Cash, Rich In Love
Revolution In Your Heart

To preview music from Fenton Robinson click on the album below
Somebody Loan Me A Dime
I Hear Some Blues Downstairs
Nightflight

To preview music from Floyd Dixon click on the album below
Wake Up And Live!

To preview music from Gaye Adegbalola click on the album below
Bitter Sweet Blues

To preview music from Guitar Shorty click on the album below
Bare Knuckle
Watch Your Back
We The People

To preview music from The Holmes Brothers click on the album below
Brotherhood
Feed My Soul
Speaking In Tongues
State Of Grace

To preview music from Hound Dog Taylor click on the album below
The Best of Hound Dog Taylor
Beware Of The Dog
Deluxe Edition
Genuine Houserockin' Music
Hound Dog Taylor and The Houserockers
Natural Boogie
Release The Hound
A Tribute

To preview music from James Cotton click on the album below
The Best Of James Cotton: The Alligator Records Years
Cotton Mouth Man
Giant
High Compression
Live From Chicago - Mr. Superharp Himself!

To preview music from James Cotton, Junior Wells, Carey Bell & Billy Branch click on the album below
Harp Attack!

To preview music from Janiva Magness click on the album below
The Devil Is An Angel Too
Stronger For It
What Love Will Do

To preview music from Jarekus Singleton click on the album below
Refuse To Lose

To preview music from Jesse Dee click on the album below
On My Mind / In My Heart

To preview music from Jimmy Johnson click on the album below
Bar Room Preacher

To preview music from JJ Grey & Mofro click on the album below
Brighter Days
The Choice Cuts
Country Ghetto
Georgia Warhorse
Olustee
Orange Blossoms
This River

To preview music from Joe Louis Walker click on the album below
Hellfire
Hornet's Nest

To preview music from Joe Louis Walker, Bruce Katz, Giles Robson click on the album below
Journeys To The Heart Of The Blues

To preview music from John Jackson click on the album below
Front Porch Blues

To preview music from Johnny Heartsman click on the album below
The Touch

To preview music from Johnny Jones click on the album below
Johnny Jones with Billy Boy Arnold

To preview music from Johnny Otis click on the album below
The New Johnny Otis Show with Shuggie Otis

To preview music from Johnny Winter click on the album below
Deluxe Edition
Guitar Slinger
Serious Business
3rd Degree

To preview music from Katie Webster click on the album below
Deluxe Edition
No Foolin'
The Swamp Boogie Queen
Two-Fisted Mama

To preview music from Kenny Neal click on the album below
Big News From Baton Rouge!!
Deluxe Edition
Devil Child

To preview music from Kenny Neal and Billy Branch click on the album below
Double Take

To preview music from The Kentucky Headhunters click on the album below
Live At The Ramblin' Man Fair

To preview music from The Kentucky Headhunters with Johnnie Johnson click on the album below
Meet Me In Bluesland

To preview music from The Kinsey Report click on the album below
Edge Of The City
Smoke And Steel

To preview music from Koko Taylor click on the album below
The Best Of Koko Taylor
Deluxe Edition
Force Of Nature
From The Heart Of A Woman
The Earthshaker
I Got What It Takes
Jump For Joy
Live From Chicago-An AUdience With The Queen
Old School
Queen Of The Blues
Royal Blue

To preview music from Lazy Lester click on the album below
Harp And Soul

To preview music from Lee Rocker click on the album below
Racin' The Devil

To preview music from Lil' Ed And The Blues Imperials click on the album below
The Best Of Lil' Ed And The Blues Imperials
The Big Sound of Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials
Chicken, Gravy & Biscuits
Full Tilt
Get Wild
Heads Up
Jump Start
Rattleshake
Roughhousin'
What You See Is What You Get

To preview music from Lindsay Beaver click on the album below
Tough As Love

To preview music from Little Charlie & The Nightcats click on the album below
All The Way Crazy
Deluxe Edition
Disturbing The Peace

To preview music from Long John Hunter click on the album below
Ride With Me
Swinging From The Rafters

To preview music from Lonnie Brooks click on the album below
Bayou Lightning
Deluxe Edition
Hot Shot
Live From Chicago - Bayou Lightning Strikes
Roadhouse Rules
Satidfaction Guaranteed
Turn On The Night
Wound Up Tight

To preview music from Lonnie Brooks, Long John Hunter & Phillip Walker click on the album below
Lone Star Shootout

To preview music from Lonnie Mack click on the album below
The Best Of Lonnie Mack: The Alligator Records Years
Second Sight
Strike Like Lightning

To preview music from Lucky Peterson click on the album below
Lucky Strikes!
Triple Play

To preview music from Luther Allison click on the album below
Blue Streak
Live In Chicago
Reckless
Soul Fixin' Man

To preview music from Magic Slim And The Teardrops click on the album below
Raw Magic

To preview music from Marcia Ball click on the album below
Live! Down The Road
Peace, Love & BBQ
Presumed Innocent
Roadside Attractions
Shine Bright
So Many Rivers
The Tattooed Lady And The Alligator Man

To preview music from Maurice John Vaughan click on the album below
In The Shadow Of The City
Generic Blues Album

To preview music from Mavis Staples click on the album below
Have A Little Faith

To preview music from Michael "Iron Man" Burks click on the album below
The Best Of Michael Burks
I Smell Smoke
Iron Man
Make It Rain
Show Of Strength

To preview music from Michael Hill's Blues Mob click on the album below
Have Mercy!

To preview music from Moreland & Arbuckle click on the album below
Promised Land Or Bust

To preview music from Nappy Brown click on the album below
Tore Up

To preview music from The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling click on the album below
Get Your Back Into It!
The High Cost Of Low Living
Lucky Guy!

To preview music from Noble Watts click on the album below
Return Of The Thin Man

To preview music from Otis Rush click on the album below
Lost In The Blues

To preview music from The Paladins click on the album below
Let's Buzz
Years Since Yesterday

To preview music from Professor Longhair click on the album below
Crawfish Fiesta

To preview music from Raful Neal click on the album below
Louisiana Legend

To preview music from Rick Estrin And The Nightcats click on the album below
Contemporary
Groovin' In Greaseland
One Wrong Turn
The Hits Keep Coming
Twisted
You Asked For It...Live!

To preview music from Roomful of Blues click on the album below
The Best of Roomful of Blues: The Alligator Records Years
45 Live
Hook, Line And Sinker
In A Roomful Of Blues
Standing Room Only

To preview music from Roy Buchanan click on the album below
Dancing On The Edge
Deluxe Edition
Hot Wires
When A Guitar Plays The Blues

To preview music from Rufus Thomas click on the album below
That Woman Is Poison!

To preview music from Rusty Zinn click on the album below
The Chill

To preview music from Saffire--The Uppity Blues Women click on the album below
Deluxe Edition
Hot Flash
Saffire--The Uppity Blues Women

To preview music from Selwyn Birchwood click on the album below
Exorcist
Don't Call No Ambulance
Living In A Burning House
Pick Your Poison

To preview music from Shemekia Copeland click on the album below
Done Come Too Far
America's Child
Deluxe Edition
Outskirts Of Love
The Soul Truth
Talking To Strangers
Turn The Heat Up
Uncivil War
Wicked

To preview music from The Siegel-Schwall Band click on the album below
Flash Forward
The Reunion Concert

To preview music from Smokin' Joe Kubek And Bnois King click on the album below
Blood Brothers
Have Blues, Will Travel

To preview music from Son Seals click on the album below
Bad Axe
Chicago Fire
Deluxe Edition
Nothing But The Truth
Live-Spontaneous Combusion
Living In The Danger Zone
Midnight Son
Nothing But The Truth
The Son Seals Blues Band

To preview music from Sonny Terry click on the album below
Whoopin'

To preview music from Sugar Blue click on the album below
Blue Blazes
In Your Eyes

To preview music from Tinsley Ellis click on the album below
The Best Of Tinsley Ellis
Cool On It
Devil May Care
Ice Cream In Hell
Live Highwayman
Moment Of Truth
Naked Truth
Speak No Evil
Winning Hand

To preview music from Tommy Castro click on the album below
The Devil You Know
Hard Believer
Killin' It Live
Method To My Madness
Stompin' Ground
Tommy Castro Presents A Bluesman Came To Town
Tommy Castro Presents The Legendary Rhythm and Blues Revue Live!

To preview music from Toronzo Cannon click on the album below
The Chicago Way
The Preacher, The Politician Or The Pimp

To preview music from W.C. Clark click on the album below
Deep In The Heart
From Austin With Soul

To preview music from William Clarke click on the album below
Blowin' Like Hell
Deluxe Edition
Groove Time