Ellis E. Kell, Jr. <eekell@qconline.com> Date: Fri, 16 May 1997
Ellis Kell Jr. is the writer of the song, Muddy's Tears on Maxwell Street.
Dear Chancellor Broski:
I am writing in support of the Maxwell Street Historic Preservation Coalition's efforts to preserve an essential piece of blues history and culture. In as much as The Blues is the only actual authentic American music, the Maxwell Street area is the authentic home of the founders of the Chicago urban blues tradition. From the great Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf, to Jimmy Rogers, James Cotton, Junior Wells, Hound Dog Taylor, Jimmy Reed and so many, many more legendary bluesmen and women, Maxwell Street hosted the birth and development of the emerging Chicago blues sound. As a blues musician, composer and bandleader, my visits to Maxwell Street in the last decade were pilgrimages back to the roots from which the modern urban blues I love were born, nurtured and in time evolved into the "full-grown" Chicago-style blues.
Maxwell Street stands as one of the most significant blues shrines remaining intact, and pays homage to the very heart and soul of that which defines Chicago as "the Home of the Blues." It would truly be a crying shame to see this blues landmark desecrated by the wrecking ball in the name of acquisition, development and progress. Please consider whatever action is in your power to prevent the loss of this extremely important part of the original American musical and cultural heritage that is The Blues.
Respectfully,
Ellis E. Kell, Jr.
Rock Island, Illinois
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