Alligator Records Turns 40

By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 13, 2011 7:20PM

Alligator Records has been churning out blues rock artists for 40 years now, and tonight they kick off a special anniversary celebration at SPACE that will continue well into December. With all those decades under their belt, Alligator’s got a rich history, and in a six concert series, they’ll showcase some their best veteran artists, some who have been singing the blues almost as long as Alligator has been around (some even longer), and are all still making music.

Tinsley Ellis and Lonnie Brooks get the party started with shows tonight and tomorrow. Ellis, whose guitar has been called feral and ferocious, made his solo debut album with Alligator in 1988. Brooks, who moved to Chicago from the Gulf in 1959, is coming off headlining the Chicago Blues Festival this summer, and will bring his mix of Louisiana swamp and hard rockin blues to the stage tomorrow night.

The series continues with The Siegel-Schwall Band and Charlie Musselwhite, who have both been recording since the 60’s, and have recorded more albums than you can count both hands and feet. In fact, Mississippi native Musselwhite alone has 30 solo albums. Contemporary blues group, The Tommy Castro Band will play Thanksgiving weekend, and Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials will close everything out in December with some classic slide guitar. The Chicago based group performs frequently around the city, and Lil’ Ed Williams boasts “a direct bloodline” to hometown blues history through uncle J.B. Hutto.

Ticket prices range from $12 to $25 for general admission, and $22 to $40 for reserved table seating, but SPACE is also offering multiple show passes that come with some extra schwag:

• 4 Show Package: General admission tickets to Tinsley Ellis, Lonnie Brooks, Tommy Castro Band, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials. Signed poster and Alligator Records Compilation Album. $50
• 6 Show Package: General admission tickets to Tinsley Ellis, Lonnie Brooks, Siegel-Schwall Band, Tommy Castro Band, Charlie Musselwhite, and Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials. Signed poster and Alligator Records compilation album. $70
• 6 Show VIP Package: Everything included in 6 Show Package plus reserved seating on the side of the stage, Alligator Records T-Shirt, 2 drink coupons for SPACE bar. $99

SPACE is located at 1245 Chicago Ave. in Evanston. Individual show dates are as follows (click dates for tickets): Tinsley Ellis October 13, Lonnie Brooks October 14, The Siegel-Schwall Band October 22, Charlie Musselwhite November 18, The Tommy Castro Band November 27, and Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials December 16.