50 years of Alligator Records
Audio 29:00
Albert Collins and Bruce Iglauer.
© Alligator Records
By: Joe Farmer Follow
38 mins
Few of the independent labels have withstood the erosion of time.
Alligator Records is one of those exceptions.
This recording firm has been campaigning since 1971 for controlled media exposure of its artists.
From the first record signed by Hound Dog Taylor to the most recent productions such as those of singer Shemekia Copeland, the albums stamped "Alligator" retain this blues authenticity which inscribes a mark in "L'épopée des Musiques Noires".
Bruce Iglauer, the founder of this unique record company, looks back this week on half a century of frenzy and artistic adventures by revealing some archives from the anniversary box set to be released on June 18, 2021.
Publicity
In 1971, Bruce Iglauer was 23 years old and had a passion for a form of expression that had escaped the rural areas of Mississippi. One of his favorite artists is called Hound Dog Taylor. He attends several of his concerts in the clubs of Chicago and thinks that it would be a shame not to record this fifty-year-old bluesman whose ardor the enthusiasm. So he tries to convince Bob Koester, the president of the Delmark Records label, to organize a studio session. Lost time, his interlocutor declines his proposal. Bruce Iglauer is chomping at the bit, but doesn't give up hope. He suddenly has this crazy idea to create his own record company. Since nobody is interested in his musical favorites, he himself will give them some sparkle. He therefore decides to record Hound Dog Taylor and publish his first record on Alligator Records,his very young record company. He surely does not imagine that this adventure will last half a century.
Bluesman Hound Dog Taylor and Bruce Iglauer.
© Nicole Fanelli
Building on the success of this first blues release, Bruce Iglauer manages to convince other musicians to sign exclusive recording contracts.
He easily wins the confidence of many instrumentalists who do not see him as a producer, but more as a lover of African-American culture.
His youth and his enthusiasm do the rest, and his business, more and more flourishing, publishes the albums of great figures of the blues.
In a few years, Koko Taylor, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, among others, enriched the heritage of Alligator Records.
Bruce Iglauer sees his young independent label take off and refine the editorial line.
He has only one goal: to expose the African-American heritage and do it justice.
"
Let's say that I have always been aware that the black musicians I recorded had a speech intended to heal the wounds of segregation.
For me, the blues is a form of expression that soothes our soul and our spirit.
It was obvious that I had to respect the music as much as the artist who produced it.
So I adopted a reverent attitude towards all these musicians but I saw no particular political commitment.
I just wanted to make this music known because it evoked, by itself, the social issues of America at the time ”.
(Bruce Iglauer at Joe Farmer's microphone)
Singer Koko Taylor and Bruce Iglauer.
© Marc Norberg
Gradually, Alligator Records welcomed new talents, representative of the sound mood of the time. Lucky Peterson, Kenny Neal, Lil 'Ed, Shemekia Copeland, in particular, join the dance and grow up under the protection of an insatiable blues fan and inspired producer. The years go by, but the flame is still incandescent and Bruce Iglauer tenaciously preserves the soul of his label. He sees birthdays add up. 20 years, 30 years, 40 years, Alligator Records is resisting despite the overwhelming pressure of the American economic system. Success is often based on an attitude more than a business strategy. Bruce Iglauer understood this very quickly and has always favored complicity. "
I have always considered the Alligator Records label to be a family of musicians. I don't see my business as a traditional record label. So yes, the artists sign contracts but it's up to us, therefore, to take care of the rest. They must trust us and that implies listening and real cordial understanding. To give you an idea of the family spirit that reigns at Alligator, I am going to tell you an anecdote. A few years ago, on my 60th birthday, I spent hours in Chicago's Cook County Jail trying to get out one of the label's artists who had been arrested for no real reason by a few white cops too. zealous. It was the first time he was in a cell and I considered it my duty,as president of Alligator Records and head of the family, to get him out of there. I succeeded and offered to spend the evening at home. I didn't see myself offering him a hotel room and letting him think about his mishap alone. He was so upset by what had just happened to him! It seems natural to me to behave like this. I also had difficulty with an artist struggling with drugs. He was trying to get out of it and I could only suggest that he stay with me for several weeks to support him in his fight against his addictions. It seemed perfectly normal to me to do this. I must respond to the difficulties of the artists I signed. If any of them calls me in the middle of the night because their car broke down on their American tour,if someone else wakes me up to sing me a tune on the phone he's proud of, I have to listen. It's my role! ".
(Bruce Iglauer on RFI - June 2021).
Young guitarist Christone "Kingfish" Ingram.
© Rory Doyle
As 50 candles sparkle on Alligator Records' birthday cake, Bruce Iglauer (74) tirelessly continues to defend his little ones.
He likes to extol the merits of Selwyn Birchwood or… Christone "Kingfish" Ingram!
This 22 year old kid is the new darling of blues fans in 2021. His chaperone intends to give him wings and raise him to the rank of the greatest.
"
He is already becoming a star! His first album was recorded when he was only 18 years old and you can already feel the maturity of this artist. I discovered Kingfish at a festival in Arkansas. He was only 14 years old and played the guitar like no one else. Kingfish hails from Clarksdale, Mississippi, the beating heart of the blues. He grew up in a poor family. His parents separated when he was just a child. He lived with his mother, sometimes on the streets. He was both sleeping in a car in the countryside. He therefore has images and memories within him which have accelerated his maturity. His new album is titled "662". This is the telephone code for the town of Clarksdale where he was born. Kingfish is making great strides.He is already one of the most famous young blues artists in the United States. It fills larger theaters than some of its counterparts. It has been getting a lot of attention lately as it manages to capture the attention of the younger generation. Young people today follow him with fervor. He is one of them ".
(Bruce Iglauer on RFI from Chicago).
The fervor with which Bruce Iglauer recounts his journey is a guarantee of durability for this rare and authentic label which has never faltered.
There is no doubt that the many artists who have written the history of Alligator Records will be able to honor their most loyal lawyer when he tackles a new chapter in his life in 2022.
Bruce Iglauer will then be 75 years old!
→ The
Alligator Records
website
The anniversary box set from Alligator Records.
© Alligator Records
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