Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials – 10/7

Lil’ Ed Williams comes to the blues naturally. His uncle, Chicago slide guitar king and master songwriter J. B. Hutto, taught him how to feel, not just play the blues. Nine albums and thousands of performances later, Lil’ Ed is hailed as a giant of the genre. Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials—bassist (and Ed’s half-brother) James “Pookie” Young, guitarist Mike Garrett and drummer Kelly Littleton—have remained together for nearly 30 years, fueling Ed’s songs with their rock-solid, road-tested, telepathic musicianship.

The Big Sound Of Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials is the band’s latest album. It features Lil’ Ed’s slide guitar playing and singing alongside the Blues Imperials. Produced by Williams and Alligator president Bruce Iglauer, the album contains 14 songs; Williams wrote or co-wrote all but two, which were written by his uncle, J. B. Hutto.

Born in Chicago on April 8, 1955, Ed grew up surrounded by music. He was playing guitar, then drums and bass, by the time he was 12. Ed and Pookie received lessons and support from their uncle. “J. B. taught me everything I know,” says Ed. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.” In 1975, they formed the first incarnation of The Blues Imperials and played their first gig at a West Side club called Big Duke’s Blue Flame, splitting the $6 take four ways.

After years of playing local clubs, the band came to the attention of Alligator president Bruce Iglauer. Their first studio session produced 30 songs in three hours, with no overdubs and only one second take. Twelve songs became the band’s debut album, Roughhousin’, released in September 1986.

Guitarist Mike Garrett joined in 1987, and drummer Kelly Littleton joined a year later. With their 1989 album Chicken, Gravy & Biscuits, the band’s audience grew. Through relentless touring, the group became known for a spontaneous and unpredictable live show.

They have played the Chicago Blues Festival and festivals around the country and worldwide. Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials released eight Alligator albums between 1986 and 2012. The group won the Living Blues Award for Best Live Performer in 2011, 2012 and 2013, and the Blues Music Award for Band Of The Year in 2007 and 2009.

“We’re not band members,” says Williams, “we’re family, and families stay together.” Night after night, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials bring their Chicago blues sound to fans across the country and around the world.

Doors: 5:30 PM
Showtime: 7:00 PM

The 443 is an intimate listening room with table service and seating for 75 people. Most seats are sold as “Tables for Two,” meaning each ticket admits two people. A limited number of single seats are available; single attendees may share a table with other single attendees. Multiple tickets purchased under the same name will automatically be seated together, up to six people.

Specific-table requests are a perk reserved for VIP Patron members. If anyone in your party needs special seating arrangements—including space for a walker, cane, service animal or wheelchair, a low table, or seating with another party—email the venue after placing your order.