In Chicago, a city overflowing with unrivaled blues talent, world-renowned Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials have been standing tall for over 30 years –an extraordinary feat for any group.
The band’s big sound, fueled by Lil’ Ed’s gloriously rollicking slide work and deep blues string bending, along with his rough-edged, soulful vocals, is as real and hard-hitting as Chicago blues gets.
Read Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials’ BIO.
Listen to their MUSIC.
See them near you on TOUR.
THEY SAID…
Electrifying, raucous, pure Chicago blues… Lil’ Ed is a guitarist extraordinaire… slashing slide and flamboyant stage persona.
— Chicago Tribune
Rough and ready blues played with unmitigated intensity… Swirling, snarling, riveting slide… The Blues Imperials pound out riffs and rhythms like they’re overdosing on boogie juice. Scorching and soulful, joyous and stomping.
— Living Blues
Hard-driving, house-rocking Chicago blues… raucous, blistering, gut-bucket slide. It rocks and rattles and hums… a great performance.
— Grant Britt, No Depression
Hard-driving… raw-edged exuberance and considerable emotional complexity. His slide can make his guitar scream like an outraged panther, moan like a hell-bound soul in torment and act the fool like a trickster, often over the course of a single song. His single string work combines post-B.B. string-bending with a raw, focused intensity. Lil’ Ed is a blues roots man and both traditionalists and contemporary-minded blues lovers with big ears should savor what’s here.
— David Whiteis, Living Blues
Outrageous Chicago blues slide-guitar… Piping hot energy… forceful… A star of the first magnitude.
— Frank-John Hadley, DownBeat
What’s not to like about the raucous sound of Chicago slide guitar maestro Ed Williams and his long serving trio? Great music that often seems spontaneous will have you bopping like crazy. Superlative guitar and piercing slow-burn slide will surely gain your immediate attention. Enthusiastic and passionate.
— Mike Stephenson, Blues & Rhythm
Read more QUOTES…
News
Lil’Ed in Florida with the Chicago Tribune
For a bluesman, Lil’ Ed Williams looks mighty cheerful. His silver fez and million-watt smile sparkle in the neon aura of the Bradfordville Blues Club, a rural outpost of musical…
Conan O’Brien gets a guitar lesson with Lil’Ed
The 2006 Late Night with Conan O’Brien, during which Conan interviews Lil’Ed before taking a guitar lesson with him —along with a “stage performance lesson” in and in front of…
“Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials jam the night away”
Out in the woods and under the starlight, some of the most famous and well-established blues artists have performed at the historic Bradfordville Blues Club as a camp fire burns…
Two Blues Music Awards nominations for Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials
On Wednesday, January 9, 2019, The Blues Foundation announced the nominees for the 40th Annual Blues Music Awards, the blues world’s highest honors. Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials received…
Clevescene: “Lil’ Ed consistently keeps the energy level high”
Lil’ Ed Williams might play the blues but he decidedly steers clear of clichés about being broke and desperate. Rather, the guy revels in letting the good times roll. For…
“Electrifying, emotionally intense and downright fun”
The Big Sound of Lil’Ed & The Blues Imperials is musically electrifying, emotionally intense and downright fun. It features Lil’ Ed Williams’ incendiary guitar playing and soulful, passionate singing, with…
