Niko Matsakis <niko@mud.imperium.net> Date: Sun, 26 Jan 1997
Hello. I am writing to express my concern that Maxwell Street, home of the Electric Blues, might disappear. In the last two years of my life, the blues has grown from an interest to an inspiration. The artists who got their start on Maxwell Street, not to mention the styles that were born there, have not only carried me through hard times but lifted me in the good times to heights I didn't know of before.
They have led the way for my study of guitar, and I believe they have done the same for many others. To lose their home would be a crime -- and so I urge you to establish it as a Historic Preservation District, because this is as much a part of our American Heritage (if not more!) than any other I have seen.
The blues is, after all, a uniquely American art form - one that was born here, matured here, [spending many of its youthful years on Maxwell street!], and has grown old here as well. I do not say it has died, for it never will.
To demonstrate its Americanness, I will leave you with a witticism by Sonny Boy Williamson, a famous blues artist. "Them English Boys want to play the blues SO BAD. And they play it SO BAD."
Thank you for your time,
Niko Matsakis
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