Jimi Hendrix
Born Johnny Allen Hendrix, November 27, 1942, Seattle, USA.
It was late September ’66 when Jimmy James, a session guitarist was signed up by Animals’ bassist Chas Chandler. He was flown to England, joined with a drummer and a bassist and given the stage name Jimi Hendrix.
A musical phenomenon was in the making. Their sudden, almost immediate popularity in England was overwhelming. By the end of the year they were the talk of London, their first single Hey Joe lighting up the UK top ten. Shortly afterwards they released Are You Experienced, an album which has remained one of the most well known and loved rock albums of all time. Featuring tracks such as The Wind Cried Mary, Foxey Lady and Purple Haze the album represents anthems of its generation.
Success came in the USA with Hendrix’s electrifying rendition of Wild Thing at The Monterey International Pop Festival. The crowd went crazy and The Jimi Hendrix experience became one of the most successful international acts in the world.
During the writing and production of their second album, Jimi began to have more influence over the sound of the music. Given his first guitar by his father as a boy, and unable to read music, Jimi’s natural talents were outstanding. They released a second album Axis; Bold As Love. Jimi had also set up studio in America and released his most demanding album yet, a double LP Electric Ladyland.
The band members parted ways in ’69. In the summer of the same year Hendrix took to stage with an eclectic mix of musicians calling themselves The Gypsy Sun and Rainbows. After a weekend of mud and rain, Jimi’s ensemble managed to alight the exhausted crowd, climaxing with their rendition of Star Spangled Banner. The performance has become legendary and synonymous with the Woodstock name.
Hendrix was joined by two members of the the ‘Gypsy Sun’ and they used the old name of Jimi Hendrix and The Experience. He was still working on his music when on September 18, 1970 he died of drug related complications in London.
Considered by some to be the greatest electric guitar player to have lived, he created sounds with the instrument that many had never heard before. His brief four year career has had astronomical influence and impact upon the music scene until this day.
