Jimmy Hutmaker (April 18, 1932 – October 3, 2007), also known as "Mister Jimmy", was a celebrity in
Excelsior, Minnesota
Excelsior is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States. Excelsior's historic commercial district along Water Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the town has many Victorian-era houses. On Lake Minnetonka's ...
until his death on October 3, 2007.
Life
Hutmaker was born April 18, in 1932 in
New Germany, Minnesota
New Germany is a city in Carver County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 372 at the 2010 census. A large proportion of the early settlers being natives of Germany caused the name to be selected.
History
New Germany was established ...
and moved with his family to
Excelsior, Minnesota
Excelsior is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States. Excelsior's historic commercial district along Water Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the town has many Victorian-era houses. On Lake Minnetonka's ...
as a teenager. Despite unspecified
developmental disabilities
Developmental disability is a diverse group of chronic conditions, comprising mental or physical impairments that arise before adulthood. Developmental disabilities cause individuals living with them many difficulties in certain areas of life, espe ...
, Hutmaker had an outgoing demeanor and an engaging personality and was given the honorary title of "roving ambassador" for the city of Excelsior.
It was in this capacity that Hutmaker spent his days and nights wandering the streets of the city, chewing on a
cigar, mumbling to himself, and greeting locals by name. Someone paid for business cards with this title for Mister Jimmy, and he carried them for the rest of his life. It is reported that he knew most Excelsior natives and their children by name, and also knew what churches they attended and their family history.
Local businesspeople provided for Hutmaker's needs, providing free meals and welcoming him in from the elements year round. However he was not a
vagrant
Vagrancy is the condition of homelessness without regular employment or income. Vagrants (also known as bums, vagabonds, rogues, tramps or drifters) usually live in poverty and support themselves by begging, scavenging, petty theft, temporar ...
; he lived in his family home for most of his life, and until 2004 was cared for by his brother Ralph. After Ralph's death the burden of Jimmy's care was picked up by unrelated townspeople. He needed an escort to get out of the Excelsior nursing home he lived in, and residents of Excelsior stepped in and took him out daily.
Rolling Stones legend
According to a legend, it was in his capacity as town ambassador that Hutmaker attended a concert by the
Rolling Stones at the Danceland Ballroom at
Excelsior Amusement Park
Excelsior Amusement Park was an amusement park on Lake Minnetonka in the town of Excelsior, Minnesota, United States. The park, which operated from 1925 to 1973, was a popular destination for company picnics and day trips from the Twin Cities.
Att ...
in 1964. The next day
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip Jagger (born 26 July 1943) is an English singer and songwriter who has achieved international fame as the lead vocalist and one of the founder members of the rock band the Rolling Stones. His ongoing songwriting partnershi ...
was having a prescription filled at Bacon's Drugstore when he encountered Hutmaker again. Hutmaker complained to Jagger that he had ordered a
Cherry Coke
Coca-Cola Cherry (originally marketed and stil commonly referred to as Cherry Coke) is a cherry-flavored version of Coca-Cola. It is produced and distributed by The Coca-Cola Company and its bottlers in the United States and some international m ...
but received a regular
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola, or Coke, is a carbonated soft drink manufactured by the Coca-Cola Company. Originally marketed as a temperance drink and intended as a patent medicine, it was invented in the late 19th century by John Stith Pemberton in Atlant ...
instead, then dismissed his own complaint, saying "You can't always get what you want."
[ Kaufmann, Bill (2009-04-20]
The Republic Strikes Back
, ''The American Conservative
''The American Conservative'' (''TAC'') is a magazine published by the American Ideas Institute which was founded in 2002. Originally published twice a month, it was reduced to monthly publication in August 2009, and since February 2013, it has ...
'' Five years later, on their 1969 album ''
Let It Bleed
''Let It Bleed'' is the eighth British and tenth American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released 28 November 1969 on London Records in the United States and shortly thereafter by Decca Records in the United Kingdom. ...
'', the Stones released a song titled "
You Can't Always Get What You Want
"You Can't Always Get What You Want" is a song by the English rock band the Rolling Stones on their 1969 album ''Let It Bleed''. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, it was named as the 100th greatest song of all time by ''Rolling Stone'' ...
" - and references to a drugstore, a cherry soda, a prescription, and "Mr Jimmy" (Hutmaker's nickname around town) all appear in the song. It is also told that Hutmaker just so happened to be ill, as it is said in the song. A shorter version of the song was released as the "B" side of "
Honky Tonk Women
"Honky Tonk Women" is a song by the English rock band the Rolling Stones. It was released as a non-album single on 4 July 1969 in the United Kingdom, and a week later in the United States (although a country version called "Country Honk" was ...
" in 1969, and it was named as the 100th greatest song of all time by
''Rolling Stone'' magazine in its 2004 "
500 Greatest Songs of All Time
"The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" is a recurring survey compiled by the American magazine ''Rolling Stone''. It is based on weighted votes from selected musicians, critics, and industry figures. The first list was published in December 2004 in ...
." Hutmaker's business cards had the lyrics to the song printed on their back sides.
The veracity of these claims is disputed. "Mr. Jimmy" more likely refers to Rolling Stones producer
Jimmy Miller
James Miller (March 23, 1942 – October 22, 1994) was an American record producer and musician. While he produced albums for dozens of different bands and artists, he is most closely associated for his work with several key musical acts of ...
.
Notes
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Hutmaker, Jimmy
1932 births
2007 deaths
People from Carver County, Minnesota
Deaths from diabetes in the United States
People from Excelsior, Minnesota
People from Osseo, Minnesota