Jimi Hendrix Profile:
Born: November 27, 1942 in Seattle WA
Died: September 18, 1970 in London, England
More than any other musician, six-string genius Jimi Hendrix influenced the future direction of both blues and rock guitar. Hendrix began to make a name for himself as a guitarist while stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in the early-1960s. Hendrix and Army buddy Billy Cox would slip away from camp and sit in with bands playing the Jefferson Avenue soul clubs in nearby Nashville.
R&B Roots
After discharge from the Army, Hendrix earned his bones playing the Southeast "chitlin' circuit" with soul giants like Little Richard and the Isley Brothers. By the mid-1960s, Hendrix had moved to New York City. It was while performing in the Big Apple that Hendrix was spotted by Chas Chandler, bassist for British Invasion band the Animals. Chandler, who wanted to move from music to management, convinced the superstar-to-be to move to London.
The Experience
The Jimi Hendrix Experience was formed with bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell. The trio quickly conquered the U.K. charts, placing their first three singles in the Top Ten. Their debut album, Are You Experienced set the stage for an explosive performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967. The album's mix of psychedelic rock and electric blues, combined with Hendrix's unheard-of guitar pyrotechnics, sounded unlike anything else released that year.
Two more studio albums would follow – 1967's Axis: Bold As Love, which showcased the guitarist's growth as a Dylanesque songwriter; and 1968's Electric Ladyland, a brave experimental effort that saw Hendrix pushing the boundaries of his talents.
Band Of Gypsies
Hendrix disbanded the Jimi Hendrix Experience prior to his appearance at Woodstock. He put together another trio, Band of Gypsies, with bassist Billy Cox and drummer Buddy Miles. This line-up recorded a live album before Hendrix reformed the Experience with Cox and drummer Mitchell. Hendrix continued to write and record material until his drug-related death in September 1970.
In the almost four decades since his death, Hendrix's legacy has continued to grow through a series of various compilations of studio material, live albums and radio broadcasts.
Recommended Albums: The new listener is advised to stick with the authorized "Experience Hendrix" releases like Are You Experienced or Live At Woodstock to hear the groundbreaking nature of Hendrix's talent.
