I knew Jimmy Joe from around the East Village, Club 57 and assorted clubs. I remember him playing with Kai Eric in the shape shifting Club 57 house band. It is best for Kai Eric to speak for Jimmy. The following is written by Kai Eric:
We formed a house band for the legendary Club 57 backing up Ann Magnuson and assorted club members as they performed on various theme nights. Forming bands that would last two weeks and then disband and reconfigure to fit the next theme. We did theme nights from punk to country to playboy bunny lounge. We did shows like the Velvet Underground inspired, Velvetmania and performed in pure noise experiences as the Man Rays and as the Patha-Rhythmics. Later with the help of my brother Kjeld on drums we formed a three-piece band that I called “Chiller James and the Mello-D- Aces”. It was one of those bands that had some potential but fell by the wayside as so many do.
Please read the longer version of Kai’s tribute to Jimmy Joe. It is a very moving and memorable piece of writing on his memory of Jimmy Joe. I wanted to write something, but after reading what Kai wrote, it is better this way.
Jimmy died a few years ago of complications that arose from HIV.