Jimi Hendrix

From ArticleWorld

James Marshall Hendrix was an African-American musician born on November 27, 1942 in Seattle, Washington. He is best known for being one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

Contents 1 Early influences 2 The Hendrix guitar 3 The Hendrix Experience 4 Guitar on fire 5 Substance abuse 6 The new Hendrix 7 All-time #1 guitarist

Early influences

Hendrix was widely influenced by jazz, blues and R & B and it was his father, Al Hendrix, who gave Jimi his first real guitar. Jimi’s parents divorced when he was 9 years old and his mother, Lucille Jeter died of cirrhosis when Jimi was just 15. Growing up, Hendrix was extremely close to his paternal grandmother who educated him in his Native American heritage.

The Hendrix guitar

Jimi was always looking for a way to refine his craft by experimenting with different accessories and stereo effects for his guitar. His goal was to create unique sounds. Via feedback, distortion and later the wah wah pedal, Hendrix operated at the head of his field. He set the bar to which others would follow and try to reach. The best example of his talent and versatility is to note that Hendrix is left-handed. When he received his first guitar from his father, he literally had to restring the instrument and play it upside down.

The Hendrix Experience

By 1966 he had formed his own band called Jimmy James and the Blue Flames. The Blue Flames were regular fare for the Café Wha? in New York City. Jimi was later introduced to Chad Chandler and formed the group, The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Hendrix achieved top 10 hits with Purple Haze, Hey Joe and The Wind Cries Mary. In 1967, The Jimi Hendrix Experience released their first album entitled: “Are You Experienced?”

Guitar on fire

During a March, 1967 concert, he had to be taken to the hospital with burns on his hands. Post-concert set, he had decided to light one of his guitars on fire. This quickly became a popular trademark of Hendrix’ concerts in later years – one trademark he frequently got tired of doing. Audiences would also ask him to perform other stunts, such as playing the guitar with his teeth and playing behind his back.

Substance abuse

By 1968, his use of drugs and alcohol had caught up to him. He frequently experienced fatigue and was often irritable and erratic. He was a known perfectionist in the recording studio and it was not uncommon to do multiple takes of one recording.

His continued erratic behavior drove a wedge between Jimi and his band mates, Noel Redding (Bass) and Mitch Mitchell (drums) and the band eventually broke up in 1969.

The new Hendrix

Hendrix formed a new band in August 1969 called Gypsy Sun & Rainbows. This was the group that accompanied him at the 1969 outdoor music festival, Woodstock. Jimi’s performance of the Star Spangled Banner became one of the best known and best loved renditions.

During 1970, Hendrix spent more time in his new studio, which he named the Electric Lady (after the 1968 album release of the same name), and began recording new material. He appeared on stage for the last time September 6, 1970 at Isle of Fehrmarn Festival in Germany.

All-time #1 guitarist

Rolling Stone magazine named him #1 guitarist of all time and 2 million records have been sold every single year since his death. September 18, 1970, Jimi Hendrix was found dead in the basement apartment of the Samarkand Hotel in London. He was 27 years old. The cause of death was reported as an overdose of sleeping pills and choking on his own vomit. “I’m the one that has to die when it’s time for me to die, so let me live my life, the way I want to.” - Jimi Hendrix