Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials are Chicago blues legends, known for their electrifying slide guitar, soulful vocals, and unstoppable live energy. Led by guitarist and singer Lil’ Ed Williams—nephew of blues great J.B. Hutto—the band has been a powerhouse for nearly 30 years, earning praise from The Chicago Tribune for their “electrifying, raucous” sound. Formed in the 1970s and signed to Alligator Records in 1986 after a legendary impromptu studio session, the group—Williams, his brother James “Pookie” Young, guitarist Mike Garrett, and drummer Kelly Littleton—has released nine acclaimed albums, including The Big Sound of Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials. Their fiery performances have lit up festivals worldwide, earning multiple Blues Music Awards and Living Blues honors for Best Live Performer. Through decades of touring and recording, the band’s joyful, hard-driving bottleneck boogie and deep Chicago roots have made them one of the most enduring and beloved acts in modern blues.