Although never quite a stage-stopping headliner on a Chicago blues scene loaded with more aggressive personalities, Jimmy Rogers nonetheless played an integral role in the development of the city’s electric postwar blues sound. A key member of the Muddy Waters band for years, Rogers also made memorable music on his own, especially during the 1950s with Chess Records. Especially adept at reworking other artists’ songs into his own warm and satisfying treatments, Rogers made classics of ‘That’s All Right,’ ‘Ludella,’ ‘Chicago Bound,’ ‘Walking By Myself’ and others. Rogers was born James A. Lane near Ruleville, Mississippi, on June 3, 1924. His music never lost its deep Delta flavor during the 50-odd years he lived in Chicago. Rogers scuffled after parting ways with Muddy and virtually vanished from the active scene during the 1960s, but returned to action and eventually claimed a respected position in the blues world. His final album was an all-star collaboration with rockers Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Stephen Stills and others paying their respects as guest participants. Rogers died in Chicago on Dec. 19, 1997.
— Jim O’Neal
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