Alligator President Bruce Iglauer Named A Chicagoan Of The Year

The Chicago Tribune has named Alligator Records president and founder Bruce Iglauer one of nine 2011 Chicagoans Of The Year. Iglauer's selection, made by longtime Tribune music critic Greg Kot, is the icing on the cake of Alligator's 40th anniversary celebration. The celebration kicked off in February, 2011 with the release of the 2-CD set The Alligator Records 40th Anniversary Collection. The album received rave reviews from Rolling Stone, NPR's Weekend Edition and many more national and international outlets. In addition, Iglauer was featured in a two-part, four-hour interview on XM/Sirius B.B. King's Bluesville. 

Among the many other highlights of the label's 40th anniversary, one of the most significant came in June during the Chicago Blues Festival, when Iglauer received a proclamation from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Mayor Emanuel honored Iglauer's contribution to the city's musical heritage on a night dedicated to the label's anniversary, featuring performances by blues icons Lonnie Brooks, Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater, Michael "Iron Man" Burks, Rick Estrin and Shemekia Copeland.

In October, Poland's Rawa Blues Festival hosted a 40th anniversary celebration, inviting Iglauer along with stars Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, Marcia Ball, C.J. Chenier and Corey Harris. Closer to home, SPACE in Evanston, IL, hosted a six-part concert series featuring Tinsley Ellis, The Siegel-Schwall Band, The Tommy Castro Band, Lonnie Brooks, Charlie Musselwhite, Michael "Iron Man" Burks and hometown favorites Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials.