Edward G Kosary <edwardg@hot-shot.com> Date: Sat, 14 Jun 1997
Chancellor Broski,
I'm writing to you with regards to the Preserve Maxwell Street project.
First of all please let me introduce myself. I was born on Chicago's southwest side and spent most of my childhood absorbing what the city had to offer, I discovered my musical urges at a the age of 11. My first recollections of those discoveries were of a type of music that has not only shaped, but has influenced and molded the very being of my existence. This music was and still is the Blues. At the age of 25 I was in a period of my life where I was searching for some way to make a difference or some kind of impact on the world, then a friend suggested that I watch a movie Called "Citizen Kane" it was then that I knew what I needed to do. So I started a magazine, having no prior experience or background in publishing I blindly set forth to become the next William Randolf Hurst.
Well needless to say, I never made it that far(ha,ha,ha,) but what I did accomplish was and still has an effect on the culture of today's music. I have had the opportunity to meet and become friends with Willie Dixon as you know was one of the most prolific songwriter/musician's in the world, I still consider the friendship that he and I shared to be the most important influence and educational experience of my life.
Maxwell Street is a area of great historical as well as cultural being, generations of people have changed the way the world views life by the music created from the people who lived there. There would not be Rock&Roll Music if it wasn't for Maxwell Street.
With that in mind , how many peoples lives have been influenced in one way or the other by Rock&Roll Music? Hundreds of Millions possibly Billions......Need I say more?
Yes I do want Maxwell Street Historic Preservation District Incorporated into the University of Illinois's plans for commercial development of the Maxwell Street area. As I informed Steve Balkin, I am prepared to go head to head with whatever powers that be. Please feel free to contact me if needed, I'm at your service.
With Best Regards
Edward G Kosary
To Mayor Richard M Daley
Your Honor,
The last time I talked with you was in regards to a television show I produced titled Solutions. Its primary focus dealt with helping people who were suffering with either Drug Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Battered Women. You responded by writing me a very genuine and sincere letter which resulted in the show airing in Chicago; for that I am very Grateful. Although I live in California at this time my heart and soul are, and always will be in Chicago.
Back in 1988 I published Chicago's first blues magazine "Chicago Jazz&Blues News." I was 25 years old at the time. Even Willie Dixon could not believe that a white 25 year old kid from the south side of Chicago was responsible for Chicago's first and only Blues Publication. Willie Dixon taught me a hell of a lot about the music the city of Chicago gave birth to, in fact I wrote a book about it "Like a Rolling Stone". I remember listening to you speak at Willie's funeral. I too was there; so were my parents. They could not help but to wonder why their son flew 2000 miles from California to attend the funeral of some old black man. The answer your Honor is THE BLUES.....................
Wherever I go I'm remembered for my chauvinistic bias for Chicago Blues. And its from the heart.
Maxwell Street is vital to Chicago, its history, and culture have effected millions of peoples lives, if not billions. If it wasn't for Maxwell Street there would not be Rock&Roll Music. Now tell me how many peoples live have been effected by Rock&Roll? The historical value alone makes the Maxwell Street area priceless. Memphis has Beale Street, New Orleans, has Bourbon Street Chicago's is Maxwell Street. The Entire planet has been effected by the music that grew and developed from that area.
Your Honor I ask that the City please consider letting the University of Illinois incorporate into there plans the redevelopment of the Maxwell Street Preservation Project.
It a shame to see Chicago's biggest asset be destroyed.
Thank You for listening to my two cents worth
With Best Regards
Edward G Kosary
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