About the Author

Yvonne Sewall-Ruskin met Mickey in the fall of 1967 after graduating from college and while applying for a waitressing job at Max's Kansas City. They became a couple in the beginning of 1968 and had two children together, Jessica & Michael. During this time, Yvonne completed her Master's Degree in Education at N.Y.U. and began a teaching career. While at Max's she was instrumental in helping create "Upstairs at Max's" which showcased many of the unsigned bands that have now made history. She also selected singles for the jukebox and advised Mickey of new promising talent on the scene. She got George Thorogood booked into Max's for his debut appearance in NYC.

After separating from Mickey, Yvonne continued to work in the field of music, promoting and managing various recording studios, including Bearsville Studios as assistant manager, then, in NYC, 39th St. Music, Evergreen, and Celestial, and was the sales rep for Atlantic Studios. She started her own company, I Contact, the first audio production service to exist in NY, representing engineers, producers, and recording artists, as well as brokering studio time. Presently Yvonne is selling real estate in downtown Manhattan and planning to travel abroad soon to promote the book, the Max's fine arts gallery and the Max's store.