When Frank “Son” Seals made his Alligator Records debut in 1973, he was immediately hailed by critics as a bright spot within the blues community. After 30 years and several albums, Seals has established himself as one of the premier blues guitarists in the nation.

Blues music has been a major part of Seals’ life ever since his early childhood years, says Bruce Iglauer, Son’s former manager.

“He is a real-deal blues man,” Iglauer says. “He grew up in blues culture and it’s in him 100 percent”

At a young age, Seals was enthralled with anything and everything involving the blues.

Seals’ father, Jim, an established blues musician, owned a small blues club in Osceola, Ark., called The Dipsy Doodle. Artists such as Sonny Boy Williamson (II) and Robert Nighthawk were regulars there, and young Frank would often fall asleep listening to the sounds of their music.

Because of this exposure, young Frank’s desire to play the blues swelled and he developed a genuine love for the music. Jim Seals noticed his son’s growing passion and took it upon himself to teach young Frank how to play the guitar. Frank’s zeal was overflowing and the future blues icon would spend numerous hours practicing anything his father would teach him.

At 18, Seals began to play guitar and sing for his own band, The Upsetters, on weekdays. On weekends, Seals would play drums at his father’s club and eventually landed drumming gigs with Earl Hooker and Albert King.

Seals moved to Chicago in 1971, where his reputation began to grow. Hard work and persistence finally paid off, and after two years of performing in small clubs around the city, Seals was picked up by small blues label, Alligator Records. Alligator was struggling at the time, and Seals became one of the first artists to sign with the label. Little did the label or Seals himself know he would eventually play a key role in the label’s success.

In 1973, Seals’ first album, “The Son Seals Blues Band,” became just the third release ever from Alligator Records, and it was met with critical acclaim. Seals made a name for himself by playing festivals and touring the United States extensively in support of the album.

“Midnight Son,” his 1977 follow-up, was also well-received. The album did so well, Seals toured Europe in support of it.

Seals went on to record several more albums with Alligator, including two live albums, “Live and Burning,” and “Live — Spontaneous Combustion.” These two critically heralded albums featured Seals’ strongest point — his live performance. Both earned him recognition from major music publications, including “Guitar World” and “Downbeat.”

Throughout his career, Seals has gained a strong reputation, mostly through his aggressive guitar playing and intense live shows.

Seals will bring that aggressive intensity to the Maintenance Shop Saturday. Seals and the M-Shop have a long and glorious history dating back to the venue’s beginnings.

“Seals has performed here pretty much every year since the M-Shop opened,” says M-Shop coordinator Eric Yarwood. “I think there has only been one or two years where he hasn’t played here.”

Yarwood says Seals always packs the house when he performs at the M-Shop. In fact, Seals is so well received, he usually plays two back-to-back shows whenever he is in town.

“The fans always give him an encore,” Yarwood says. “They just love his live performances.”

Seals mainly writes his own music, but he also has time for a few cover songs. Yarwood says Seals’ own compositions have sometimes been confused with cover songs.

“I remember a few years back when Phish did a cover of Seals’ ‘Funky Bitch’ ” Yarwood says. “Students thought the song was written by Phish and that Seals was doing a cover of it. They found out that it was actually one of Seals’ songs.”

Iglaues says Seals’ music is in many ways a reflection of his personality.

“His persona is that of a tough, hard-edged guy who takes no shit,” he says. “He also has a gentle, funny side too, and I hear a lot of humor in his music.”

Iglaues says Seals seems a little quiet at first, but he very much enjoys the company of his fans.

“He is not very talkative,” Iglaues says. “He is kind of the John Wayne of blues. He is very loyal and kind when you get to know him.”