Alligator Records? I've got all of those. I've been an Albert Collins fan since he sat down in the seat in front of me at Perkins Palace in Pasadena CA and played his music. That was on December 11, 1981.

I had gone there with my buddies to see the tail end of the George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers "50 shows in 50 days, in 50 states" tour. Albert opened for them, and it flat blew me away. I was 24 years old at the time, and had never heard anything like that live, in my life.

Aside from being transfixed by the sound coming off his fingers, I'll never, ever forget standing right behind him and looking down over his shoulder while he caressed his beautiful music out of that Telecaster. It was a defining moment - I was mesmerized.

>shudder< I need a cigarette......