The Late, Great, Jimmy Rogers

“You better look back at The Best Of Muddy Waters with Little Walter and Jimmy Rogers. That's where it all came from.” – Muddy Waters

From Ruleville, Mississippi, Jimmy Rogers was born in 1924 taught himself to play guitar while still a teenager. By 1941 he was living and playing in Chicago, he worked in clubs including Tom’s Tavern and the Purple Cat with Sunnyland Slim and then with Muddy Waters band in the late 1940s. He toured with Sonny Boy Williamson through the Southern States and worked with Howlin Wolf in Memphis before returning to Chicago to record with Muddy Waters in 1950. Jimmy Rogers at 25 years old had already paid his dues.

In 1950 his first record for Chess was That’s All Right which had Little Walter on harmonica and Muddy Waters on second guitar, backing bands don’t come any better! A string of fantastic records followed, some featuring Little Walter and others Muddy Waters as well as other frontline Chicago musicians including Otis Spann, Walter Horton and Willie Dixon

Roger’s biggest, and only Billboard chart hit, was Walking By Myself in early 1957. Featuring Walter Horton on harmonica it made No.14. As well as recording some quality singles of his own for Chess Jimmy’s guitar features on some of Muddy Water’s best records including Hoochie Coochie Man, Mannish Boy and Rock Me.

In the 1960s Jimmy Roger’s style went out of fashion and after quitting the business he did make a comeback in the 1970s, recording for Leon Russell’s Shelter Records and in 1977 with his old friend Muddy Waters. Jimmy Rogers, who passed away in 1997, is remembered for his great contribution to creating the quintessential ‘Chicago Sound’ – just listen to Chicago Bound to hear why.

“You didn’t go in there too often and make a number right away, you know — Leonard Chess would be turning it around there quite a while trying to get the best."– Jimmy Rogers