This musical genius died at 27 years old, leaving behind only 4 completed albums. They don't talk much about him and his motorcycle but Jimi rode a 1964 Chopped Harley-Davidson Panhead.
He was the 20th Century's electric guitar master. Jimi Hendrix was innovative and his style combined fuzz, feedback and controlled distortion to make his sound so distinctive. If you followed him you would know that he couldn't read or write music.
His brilliant rise in the music industry happened in quick, like in four years. Even though most would think you needed to be high to enjoy his music this wasn't the case. Jimi Hendrix was a self taught musical prodigy.
Johnny Allen Hendrix was born on November 27, 1942, at 10:15 a.m at Seattle's King County Hospital. James "Al" Hendrix was Jimi's father and he changed his name to James Marshall Hendrix. He loved music and Jimi's style was developed from listening to B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Holly, and Robert Johnson.
Jimmy's father found an old one-string ukulele and he gave it to him to play because he found out that he was playing the broom like a guitar. When Mr. Hendrix(Sr.) saw the love his son had for the ukulele he scrounged up enough money, like five dollars to buy Jimmy a second hand acoustic guitar from his friend.
Jimmy joined his first band, The Velvetones and after a three-month stint with the group, he left to pursue his own interests. Jimmy's dad was very instrumental in him honing his skill as a self taught musician. The third guitar was purchased and it was an electric Supro Ozark 1560S; it was the same guitar Jimmy used when he joined The Rocking Kings.
The Viet Nam war was enlisting our young men and Jimmy went into the Army in 1961. Around 1964 Jimmy was given a medical discharge because he got injured during a parachute jump. After being discharged from the Army he worked as a session guitarist back then he called himself Jimmy James.
By the end of 1965 Jimmy played with big acts like Ike and Tina Turner, Sam Cooke, the Isley Brothers and Little Richard. The last act Jimmy played with was Little Richard. After leaving Little Richard he started his own band called Jimmy James and the Blue Flames where he was the lead guitarist.
Early 1966 Jimmy was playing in Greenwich Village in NYC at small venues. He played at Café Wha? which has been around since 1950 and a favorite hot spot cornered in the heart of the Village. This night his group was playing along with Animals' bassist Chas Chandler during a July performance and Chas was impressed with Jimmy's performance and when he came back in September of 1966 he signed Hendrix to an agreement that would have him move to London to form a new band.
Once Jimmy moved to London and Chas was his new Manager he convinced Jimmy to change his name to "Jimi." Featuring drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding, the newly formed Jimi Hendrix Experience quickly became the talk of London in the fall of 1966. His success started in the UK.
The Woodstock Music & Art Fair in August 1969, Jimi joined forces with an eclectic ensemble called Gypsy Sun & Rainbows featuring Jimi Hendrix, Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cox, Juma Sultan, and Jerry Velez. The Woodstock performance was highlighted by the renegade version of "Star Spangled Banner," which brought the mud-soaked audience to a frenzy and that started his success in the United States.
The tragic death of Jimi Hendrix touched everyone and still today he is honored for his rich unorthodox contribution to R&B and Rock.
Goldie~Regulator for Life!
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