Lil' Ed Williams, born Edward Williams on April 8, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, is an American blues slide guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He began his musical journey under the tutelage of his uncle, J.B. Hutto, who introduced him and his half-brother James "Pookie" Young to Dave Weld. Together with Weld, they formed the first version of the Blues Imperials. In 1986, Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials released their debut album Roughhousin' on Alligator Records. Their second album, Chicken, Gravy and Biscuits, was released in 1989, followed by What You See Is What You Get in 1992. After disbanding, Williams issued two solo albums: Keep on Walkin' (1996) and Who's Been Talking (1998). The group reunited in 1999 with the release of Get Wild. Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials have been nominated for eight Blues Music Awards as Band of the Year, winning twice.
