Tell your friends to tell their friends that if they don't dig the blues, they must have a hole in their soul. - Jimmy Rogers
Tell them that music was his life; that he wanted to be in it to the end.- Dorothy Lane (wife of Jimmy Rogers)
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 12:41:00 CST
From: Bonnie Kalmbach <KALMBACH@macc.wisc.edu>
Jimmy Rogers died at 6:15 this morning from post-operative complications of cancer surgery. I just had this message from booking agent Tom Radai in Milwaukee.
Another great one is gone - a member of the seminal Muddy Waters band (Muddy, Jimmy, Spann, and Little Walter) that defined the 50's amplified sound of Chicago blues. I always think of Muddy's quote "Jimmy has such a fine, fine voice."
A very sad year for the Blues.
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 20:36:07 -0500
From: Stuart L Norton <stnorton@indiana.edu>
What a sad day!
My band had the honor of opening for Jimmy a couple of years ago in Indy and we got to talk with him backstage. What a beautiful cat. He suprised me by being totally into talking about the old days (Little Walter, Muddy ECT).
It was such a pleasure to watch one of the inventors of the electric blues thing in action.
He will surely be missed.
Stuart
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 17:53:26 +0000
From: Alvarez Roberto <ralvar@mecon.ar>
Oh No!!!! God please!!!!!! I don't Believe it That's a year anforgetable for all blues lover's a dark year for all of us.
Another bluesman in the Heaven's Blues Band
We will miss you Jimmy
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 21:22:48 -0500
From: Bluesagent <bluesagent@aol.com>
Tom Radai, Blues Management, Milwaukee WI
fax inquiries only to:(414) 321.1098; alternate contact: Rita
McHann, The Blues Agency (650) 879.1700 fax <bluesagent@aol.com>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 1997
Chicago, IL- It is with great sadness that we report, internationally known Blues Legend Jimmy Rogers, passed away at 6:15 am this morning in a Chicago hospital after complications from colon cancer surgery.
Jimmy Rogers (a.k.a. James A. Lane) was 73 , and is survived by his wife, Dorothy, three (3) sons, five (5) daughters,17 grandchildren and a legion of fans in countries around the world. Funeral arrangements are pending, and an announcement is forthcoming.
Tom Radai, Mr. Rogers manager of 23 years, requests that inquiries to his office are handled via fax until more details are available. Rita McHann is assisting Tom Radai during this difficult time, and is available to take messages either by phone, fax or email.
A native of Rueville, Mississippi, Jimmy Rogers migrated to Chicago in 1947. Rogers was considered a pioneer of electric blues guitar. A gifted songwriter, with a distinctive vocal style, Jimmy Rogers was instrumental in developing the style of blues music known as the Chicago Sound. Jimmy Rogers was the last surviving member of Muddy Waters original band.
Many Blues and Rock nRoll musicians touted Jimmy Rogers as a major musical influence. Rogers was in the process of recording for Atlantic Records just prior to his death. The new recording featured guest appearances by The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Stephen Stills, Taj Mahal, Kim Wilson, Johnny Johnson and others. A release date for this recording has not been announced.
# # #
I ain't lyin'!--Albert King
please visit us at http://members.aol.com/bluesagent/index.html
Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 04:59:03 -0300
From: Blind Willy <blues@bdr.com.ar>
Subject: Jimmy Rogers
This year we lost so many great Blues Man, people get together and keep the blues alive and well.
Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 05:59:35 GMT
From: "Mr. Mark A. Nelson" <EZMZ21A@prodigy.com>
Another fine gentleman of the blues is in with that big band in the sky. I will miss him.
"Growing older but not up!"
Mark Nelson EZMZ21A@PRODIGY.COM
Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 09:48:10 -0600
From: Arthur Schuna <aaschuna@facstaff.wisc.edu>
The last member of the classic early 50s Muddy Waters band is gone. I remember seeing him at his last performance here in Madison about 3 years ago. It was a cold night in January maybe 9 below zero. Few people braved the cold that night and a large hall had maybe 70 people present at most. In spite of the poor turnout, Jimmy put on a great performance.
In the last 2 weeks I had the opportunity to read the interview of Jimmy published in Living Blues Sept-Oct 1997 issue which is excellent if you can track it down. Jimmy was instrumental to the development of that Muddy Waters band. He was responsible for bringing Little Walter to the band. He also found Otis Spann who, at the time was sleeping in cars on the West Side. Muddy would have had a band if Jimmy Rogers hadn't been around, but it wouldn't be the same band most people recognize when they hear Muddy's name.
Jimmy had this to say in that Living Blues interview that pretty well somes it up:
"I think Muddy and me contributed quite a bit to the blues, more than a lot of peoples before my time. They didn't ever strike it like we did. I'm proud to be a part of it. I'm well pleased to be in history for this thing. I guess the timin' must have been right. Some people say we brought in the new wave of Chicago blues. I've heard that. That's okay. We'll call it the new wave but, I mean, I came up under Tampa and Big Maceo and Memphis Minnie. I take a little piece of them with me. Right now they're still with me."
I guess that's one thing to think about in sad times like this. Many of today's younger artists have been influenced by that classic Muddy Waters Chicago band featuring Jimmy Rogers and will take a little piece of him for the next new wave of blues.
Art Schuna
Suggested listening:
Jimmy Rogers
Complete Chess Recordings (MCA/Chess) - this two disc set has everything Jimmy did for that label under his own name. This is where I would start my listening.
Blue Bird (Analogue Productions) - This 1994 release came as close to that 1950s classic Chicago blues sound as any release in the 1990s.
with Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters Chess Box
Muddy Waters - Rare and Unissued
Muddy Waters - His Best 1947-55
Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 12:05:28 -0500
From: Karen Hanson <MsJuke@aol.com>
"I guess that's one thing to think about in sad times like this. Many of today's younger artists have been influenced by that classic Muddy Waters Chicago band featuring Jimmy Rogers and will take a little piece of him for the next new wave of blues."
Exactly. Jimmy represented a link to the past, to the greatness of Muddy Waters and Little Walter, to Fred Below and Otis Spann... But he has also been a great influence on today's blues.
Many of you knew Jimmy personally for many years. I hope you will share some of your memories with us here.
The fact that Jimmy's music reached through the improbabilities of life to reach even someone like me is testament to his great talent. And I know there are thousands around the world who have been affected by his music and aren't even fully aware of it.
Jimmy Rogers was the second live blues show I ever saw, and that wasn't all that long ago. I was truly a newbie to the blues, but I knew that what I was searching for was contained on the album The Best of Muddy Waters, and I knew Jimmy was a part of that. Luck struck double that night, because Pinetop Perkins was sitting in with Jimmy. That night I didn't understand much of what I saw and heard, but I knew Jimmy was the truest blues I'd ever heard. I can still say that today.
Every time aftewards that Jimmy Rogers played at Legends, I was there. I came early and stayed late. I didn't miss a single note. One night we arrived at the last minute and were lucky (with help) to find seats in the very front and center. I probably wouldn't have chosen to sit there, but I have never had a bigger thrill than sitting five feet from Jimmy Rogers' snakeskin shoes while he sang "Ludella"!
The last time I saw Jimmy, a couple months ago, I noticed he looked thin and frail. His voice was as beautiful as ever, though! As usual, I stayed until the very end and then waited...I could tell Jimmy was tired...his daughter (or daughter-in-law?) was sitting with him, watching out for him. I didn't stay long (though I wanted to), but I needed to shake his hand and tell him how much his music has meant to me. I'm so glad I didn't wait until "next time."
I never knew him personally, but he was always such a gracious gentleman on stage. His family was always around him and were obviously so devoted to him. Whenever he performed, the place was packed with musicians, from the past and the present, who dropped in to see him.
I will miss Jimmy, but his music will always be in my heart.
Karen
Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 14:59:28 -0500
From: "R. BANK$ & M. Martin" <rbanks@ciaccess.com>
Subject: God Bless Jimmy Rogers
Anther great blow to the world of Blues.
Jimmy Rogers will be sadly missed in the hearts of Blues followers around the world.
He was a great singer, great guitar player and the last living link to the original Muddy Waters band. We're heartbroken that we were unable to see him live and meet him before we lost him. Feel like a most important chapter in the book has been closed, never to re-open again.
All the more reason to support and praise the remaining living legends that we still have with us.
Here's to you Jimmy Rogers! God Bless You!
Mark Martin and Robin Bank$
Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 18:26:21 -0500
From: "Lee C. Spector" <00lcspector@bsuvc.bsu.edu>
When I got into blues, most of those I knew were interested in the usual Chess folks - Waters, Williamson, Wolf, Guy etc. My favorite was always Rogers. He always seemed to me as being the class of the group. To me his music was always the most joyful. I loved the way he let everyone shine that played with him. He also seemed to have the most breath in his music. Now I know that this is all opinion and as the years have gone by and so many of the greats are no longer, for some reason which I can't explain, Rogers' loss has affected me the most.
Lee
Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 18:12:34 -0600
From: Twist Turner <Bluzman@webtv.net>
Subject: Hey JImmy(Rogers), whats charisum?
Well another one is gone,seems like my whole world as I knew it has disappeared. Heres a funny story about Jimmy and his band. I was hanging out with Jimmy and the band one night after a gig. The place was getting ready to close and everyone was leaving. Wild Child Butler returned from the bar and says " hey Jimmy, what's charisum? ,the lady at the bar say's I don't have no charisum." Jimmys say's man I don't know nothing about no charisum, I never heard of it . Wild Child wouldn't let up he and Jimmy went back and forth for a good 30 minutes trying to figure out what charisum was. Finally Ted Harvey who was taking his drums down couldn't take anymore, he shouted over "Man it's not charisum it's charisma, now shut up Mother*^@#$r", that was the end of that.
Twist Turner
check out my new web site at http://members.tripod.com/~Twist_Turner/index.html
Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 10:33:26 -0800
From: Stan Ruffo <stan@ruffo.com>
Subject: Jimmy Rogers RIP
1997 brought many good things - and took away many more.
Be good to one another!
Stan
From: bzipp@MSN.COM
Subject: Jimmy Rogers
Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 16:01:18 -0600
The wisdom, power and grace of this blues legend were his lifelong gifts to the thousands of lives he touched. I first learned of this man's irreplaceable contributions to blues lovers around the world in 1978 when Johnny Winter identified him as one of the greatest blues singers who ever lived before bringing the crowd to its feet with his rendition of "Walking by Myself". I have had many occasions since that time to turn to Jimmy's works when I had nowhere else to turn--he never let me down.
On the road until weeks before his death, this man personified the essence of the blues idealogy. The seeds he sowed have proven fertle ground for successive generations of popular artists. His influence on the likes of Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Kieth Richard provided long overdue recognition for the monumental contributions Jimmy has made to the world at large.
The twinkle in his eye when he smiled, the warmth and sincerity he would show to complete strangers, the honesty and timeless quality of his compositions, the legacy of family and friends that will undoubtedly carry the tourch he lit-- these are eternal gifts.
"Love you, yes, I love you with all my heart and soul"
"Wouldn't mistreat you for your weight in gold"
Sing on!
From: "Dave Blanken" <dblanken@dynamite.com.au>
Subject: Re: Bad news about Jimmy Rogers
Date: 21 Dec 1997 13:57:41 GMT
I certainly have the blues today. Jimmy was one of my all-time favorite blues artists. The simple beauty in his songs is unsurpassed. His understated yet vitally important guitar sound drove so many hit records and gave inspiration to many aspiring blues musicians. He will be sorely missed.
-Dave-
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 1997 00:14:07 -0900
From: Morgan Morgan <mmorgan@alaska.net>
Subject: Jimmy Rogers
Say hello to Muddy, Jimmy and God Bless.
1997 sure got it in for the blues......
Have a Merry Christmas all and a Happy New year. Let's pray 1998 is a better year for the blues. God must be getting tired of Alternative Music!!
--
Morgan M. Morgan mmorgan@alaska.net Anchorage, Alaska
Visit Alaska Blues at http://www.alaska.net/~mmorgan/blues.html
Remember.......it don't mean shit to a tree!
Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 17:50:51 -0500
From: Curtis Hewston <curtis@magicnet.net>
Subject: Re: Jimmy Rogers Birthplace
"The Big Book of Blues" also says Atlanta, but the "All-Music Guide" and "Chicago Blues" by Mike Rowe both say Ruleville, Mississippi.
Mike Rowe wrote, "...he was born in the Delta, at Ruleville, Mississippi, on 3 June 1924. Jimmy was one of ten children. His mother was Grozie Lane and Henry Rogers was his step-father but he was raised by his maternal grandmother Leanna Jackson and spent most of his early years in and out of Atlanta, Memphis and Ruleville."
Ruleville, by the way, is on US 49W about halfway between Indianola 20 miles south and Tutwiler 20 miles north. It's also about 10 miles east of Cleveland and Dockery's Plantation. Can't get much more Delta than that.
--------------------------------
The Blue Highway
http://thebluehighway.com/
curtis@magicnet.net
Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 11:40:29 -0500
From: "J.J. Perry" <jjperry@bluemarble.net>
Subject: Jimmy Rogers' Birthplace (was Re: Trivia answers)
On Sun, 21 Dec 1997, SThomp2087 wrote:
From Living Blues #135, "Jimmy Rogers: I'm havin' Fun Right Today" --
"My mother was Grozie Jackson. My father's name was Roscoe. He was a Lane. They met at Ruleville, Mississippi, but he was from Georgia, around Atlanta. So he came up there in Mississippi, workin' I guess. They got together and I was born in Ruleville, Mississippi, 1924-June the 3rd. From there I went to Atlanta..."
J.J.
"The Piney Woods Blues Party"
Monday Nights 6:30 - 9 p.m.
WFHB 91.3/98.1 FM Bloomington, IN
Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 14:53:24 EST
From: Blsprod1 <Blsprod1@aol.com>
Subject: Jimmy Rogers Last Session
It was my honor and privilege to produce a session for the Analog Productions label the past October featuring Jimmy D. Lane and his father, Jimmy Rogers. The sessions were held at Chicago Recording Company studios. Jimmy Sr. came down on October 15 and just sang his heart out with a band featuring Carey Bell, Freddie Crawford, Per Hanson, David Krull and, of course, Jimmy D. We all commented on how relaxed and happy Jimmy Sr. seemed at the time. His performances that day were so powerful and strong! The last track recorded was "One Room Country Shack". Jimmy Sr. said "We're reaching WAY back on this one.." There was a particular phrase in the tune that he was having trouble remembering so we left the main studio while Jimmy Sr. and his daughter Angela slowly worked over the lyrics. Jimmy Sr. was determined to get this song right for his sons album. We came back in and he performed so brilliantly. This is how I want to remember this sweet, soulful man. God bless him.
Joe Harley
Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 19:24:09 -0800
From: "Blujazz Prod." <blujazz@mcs.net>
Subject: Tom Radai and Jimmy Rogers
I would also like to say how sad I am for the Rogers family and Tom Radai, his manager who I got to know some over the last year. He is so devoted to blues, traditional blues, Jimmy and many more great first and second generation blues men. As we think about Jimmy please think about Tom who really helped keep the legend going.
Greg Pasenko
The Greg Pasenko Band
http://www.mcs.net/~blujazz
From: "Jack Van Camp" <jkvancamp@net66.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 16:43:58 -0600
I don't know where to start. Jimmy Rogers was probably the first blues artist I ever talked to. It was the second time he appeared at a club in Champaign, Ill., called The Blind Pig in June of 1995. I approached him to sign a photo I had taken of him his first visit to the Pig. He signed it for me and I ended up sitting at his table and conversing with him for about 45 minutes, this experience prompted me to buy a tape recorder so I could record and preserve any future conversations with other blues artists, I wish I had had one then, Mr. Rogers was such a gentleman I will always treasure that time he spent with me, he posed for a photo with my then 17 year old son who was discovering the blues and I wanted him to see a true master of the blues.
I saw Jimmy Rogers perform only 3 times, but man, I loved every minute of each performance. I didn't expect this, but I truly have tears in my eyes as I type this. I loved Jimmy Rogers and his music. A true great has left us. My heartfelt condolences to his family.
Jack Van Camp
"Sonny Boy Whitebread"
WEFT 90.1 Champaign, Ill.
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 1997 08:45:22 -0500
From: Steve Levine <Steve.Levine@grace.com>
Of all of the losses the blues world has suffered this year, this is the worst one for me. Jimmy Rogers was one of my favorite Chicago bluesman, and he wrote some of my all time favorite songs.
This year is starting to seem like the end of an era.
-Steve
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 1997 15:17:30 -0500
From: Dave Sherman <tcai@erols.com>
Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Dave "Pops" Sherman and I have a blues band named Dave Sherman & The Nightcrawlers. I just wanted to say a few words about Jimmy Rogers who I had the great pleasure of backing up several times. Jimmy personnally taught me about playing the blues. He taught me more than just about any one single person, eventhough I don't think he knew it. I played in a band 10 years ago named Little Junior and the Hitmen with Pat Day (Day & Night Productions) on blues harp, Jeff Lodson on drums, and Ivan Brown on upright bass. We backed up Jimmy whenever he came to Washington. One show in particular really stood out. It was at the Carter Baron Amphiteater and we were backing up Jimmy, Hubert Sumlin, Nappy Brown, and Earl King. Jimmy was in rare shape that night. He had been drinking gin all the way from Chicago, and then continued to hit on a bottle of Old Grand Dad. So, when we got up with him and Hubert Sumlin, we didn't know what to expect. Well, Jimmy would call one song in one key and proceed to play another song in a different key. If it wasn't for Hubert we would have really been searching, but Hubert would always go "oh yeah, I know what he's doing" and save the day. But what I learned is, the name of the song really didn't matter, it was the feeling. Pick-up on the feeling and play your heart out. That's where the blues is at, for real. We had a great time that night and several other occasions, because we just got rid of all self consciousness and just played the blues from deep down inside. And that's what Jimmy taught me, just because he is the real thing. He showed me the difference between playing tunes and playing the blues, and we never exchanged one word about it. He just did it, and I was fortunate enough to pick-up on it. God rest his soul, I will surely miss the man, but not his music and not what he gave me.
...Dave "Pops" Sherman
PS, Thanks for letting me share this. These are memories that will always be with me.
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 1997 10:34:45 +1100
From: Shaun Cronin <sonnyboy@dot.net.au>
Subject: Blues News
We have lost many blues greats this year. Recently we lost one of the most important musicians in blues history. Guitarist/vocalist Jimmie Rodgers died in Chicago on December 19th from complications aftersurgery for cancer. Jimmie Rodgers was the last surviving member of the original Muddy Waters band. As a guitarist he was a pioneer in developing Chicago Blues Guitar. Rodgers was a gifted songwriter and songs such as "Walking By Myself" are now considered standards for any blues band. Another legend that will be sorely missed by the blues community.
Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 23:32:54 -0500
From: CD947 <cd947@aol.com>
Subject: My Jimmy Rogers story
In the early and mid '80s, I used to go out to see Jimmy all the time, probably a couple of times a month, since he was playing around Chicago a lot then. I became friendly with his harmonica player, a guy named Joe Berson, a/k/a Little Joe. Joe was a hard guy to get along with for a lot of people, but we got along well I think because I was way into Big Walter Horton, and that was Joe's man, so Joe really liked the way I played harp. Joe kind of took me under his wing, and pretty soon he would get me up to sit in with Jimmy for a few songs every time I'd come out. It was kind of funny sometimes: occasionally Joe would be doing a solo, and he'd come down off the stage with his long cord and walk through the crowd a little, and a few times as he'd walk past me he'd just hand me his mic and harp, and I'd take over playing while he just kept on walking, to the men's room, or to the bar for a drink, or even out of the club for a few minutes, and usually Jimmy never even looked up. Once I was working the door at a club where Jimmy was playing, and a friend of Joe's who was in the club got into a fight, so in the middle of a song Joe jumped off the stage (which was right next to the door), handed me the mic and said "Play!" while he broke up the fight, and then took his friend outside and put him in a cab. In the meantime I'm playing with the mic and harp in one hand, and collecting cover charges and checking IDs with the other hand blocking people's way with the mic cord across the doorway until they've payed the cover. And I don't think Jimmy ever even knew what was going on.
Anyway, I sat in with Jimmy about a dozen times or so, and one night Joe phoned me and asked me to come out to a gig he was playing that night with Magic Slim (who doesn't usually work with harp players). I went, and during the break Joe took me outside and told me that this gig was actually an audition to join Slim's band, and that Slim had offered him the gig, and he was going to take it. After about 10 years, he decided he was going to quit Jimmy's band, and he wanted to know if I was interested in taking his place. I wasn't married then, and my job situation wasn't very solid, so I said sure, I'd love to. Joe told me to come out to Jimmy's next gig the following Wednesday, and in the meantime he'd talk to Jimmy about it, and I'd get up and do a set with him at this gig, and if Joe recommended me to Jimmy, which he said we would, that I was in.
So I was pretty excited about this, and went to this Wednesday night gig, but as it turned out it was one of the few times that I had to work at midnight at my 'day' job. I got there after the band had started, and they played a long set, and time was getting short, so eventually I went up to the stage and got Joe's attention in the middle of a song. I gestured to my watch, and indicated that I had to split for work. He shook his head, indicating that I should wait, they were about to take a break. But I was late already, so I gestured that I'd call him and we'd get it together later, and I left.
That was Wednesday, and on Friday I called Joe, and was told that he'd died of a heart attack on Thursday. So he never did get around to recommending me to Jimmy, and in fact I never did get a chance to play with Jimmy again. But I still went out to see him whenever I could, and he always remained one of my all-time favorites, and I'll miss him. Joe, too.
Scott
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 1997 00:12:17 EST
From: Joseph Leichter <ST001297@BROWNVM.brown.edu>
Subject: Re: Jimmy Rogers Last Session
I'm jsut very sad .......
Joe Leichter
Date: Thu, 1 Jan 1998 14:31:48 -0500
From: rob32 <rob32@mail.bright.net>
December 19,1997 was a very sad day not only for me but, the whole music community. Jimmy Rogers, great singer and guitarist, died that day. That is how the music world knew him, but those of us who were lucky enough to know him, knew that was just a part of him. He had respect for people, humility, and was just a nice man.
I had the honor and pleasure of touring in his band as a harp player, and it was great stuff. The music was fabulous and exciting. It was the REAL CHICAGO BLUES! Jimmy, His son and great guitarist, Jimmy D. Lane, world great drummer, Mr. Ted Harvey, and bassist Freddy Crawford made the band exceptional. Me, helping Jimmy on with his 355 Gibson, and playing next to him on stage was just wonderful. The energy was TREMENDOUS!
Jimmy will be sadly missed by everyone who knew music, and especially by me.
Jimmy treated me with kindness and i'll never forget him.
Thanks for letting me share this with everyone.--Rob Lewenstein
From: Logan1952 <Logan1952@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Jan 1998 20:44:11 EST
It was my fortunate fate, when I was a young musician, to have been in Jimmy Rogers Blues Band. When I was only 19, Jimmy took me under his wing and taught me the blues were a feeling, and that as long as you loved the music, anyone could play the blues...and proved it by allowing me to play on two of his albums. The experiences of traveling the country with Jimmy and the stories he shared will always be with me. I feel a part of me is missing. I was also fortunate to have been friends with his wife, Dorothy, his family and many of his friends. He will always be in my heart and I will remember his kindness and love for everyone.
Jim Wydra-
------------
I have know Jimmy Rogers and his wife Dorothy for 25 years. My husband was his bass player in the 70's. What I will remember most about Jimmy is the love and devotion he had for his family. He was the kindest, most sincere person I have met. I never saw him mad. A blues great he was. A loving husband and father above all ! With all my love to Dorothy and family.
Margee Wydra
Stories, remembrances, and anecdotes for the homepage should be sent to the Coalition<mar@interaccess.com>.
return to Jimmy Rogers Memorial Homepage
return to Preserve Maxwell Street