Bitten by the Blues: The Alligator Records Story

23-year-old Bruce Iglauer was impressed by Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers' Chicago blues, which led to the founding of Alligator Records, the world's largest independent blues record label. Iglauer's memoir, Bitten by the Blues, chronicles his life in the blues and the business of blues, featuring unforgettable stories and classic sessions with major figures. It also provides an expansive history of half a century of blues in Chicago and around the world.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 29 October 2018
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

In 1970, at the age of twenty-three, Bruce Iglauer ventured into Florence's Lounge, nestled in the heart of Chicago's South Side. The moment he stepped inside, he was captivated by the exuberant and raw Chicago blues performed by Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers. A year later, Iglauer embarked on a remarkable journey, producing Hound Dog's debut album in just eight hours and pressing a thousand copies, the maximum he could afford. From that humble beginning, Alligator Records emerged, becoming the largest independent blues record label in the world.

Iglauer's memoir, Bitten by the Blues, chronicles his lifelong dedication to the blues and the intricate world of its business. His remarkable contributions have shaped the landscape of contemporary blues music, producing albums for renowned artists such as Koko Taylor, Albert Collins, Professor Longhair, Johnny Winter, Lonnie Mack, Son Seals, Roy Buchanan, Shemekia Copeland, and numerous others. In this captivating book, Iglauer takes readers behind the scenes, sharing unforgettable stories and revealing intimate insights into the lives of these charismatic musicians and legendary sessions. It offers a vivid portrayal of the extraordinary individuals who breathed life into America's music in the vibrant clubs of Chicago's South and West Sides.

Beyond its musical allure, Bitten by the Blues serves as an expansive history of half a century of blues in Chicago and beyond. It traces the evolution of the blues recording business, navigating significant transitions as the genre, initially created by and for black southerners, embraced an influx of white fans and musicians. This adaptation led to the blues finding a worldwide audience, resonating with people from all corners of the globe.

While many of the smoky bars and bustling clubs that nurtured the Chicago blues scene have vanished over time, their essence and sound endure. The legacy of the blues continues to resonate, reminding us of its profound impact on music history and its enduring power to captivate and inspire.

Weight: 634g
Dimension: 232 x 157 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226129907