Jimi Hendrix
Johnny Allen Hendrix arrived in Seattle on the 27th of November 1942. His father Al Hendrix was stationed in Alabama during the birth and could not visit due to military restrictions. A commanding officer placed him in the stockade for two months without trial while Lucille Jeter raised their son alone. The family lived in poverty after Al returned from service in September 1945. They moved frequently between cheap hotels and apartments around Seattle. Alcoholism plagued both parents, leading to violent fights that drove young Jimi to hide in a closet. He suffered sexual abuse by a man in uniform, a secret he kept until later years. His mother died of cirrhosis on the 2nd of February 1958, when her spleen ruptured. Al refused to take his sons to the funeral, instead giving them whiskey shots as a way to cope with loss. The court granted custody of Jimi and his brother Leon to Al after their parents divorced on the 17th of December 1951. Three younger siblings were given up to foster care and adoption. This unstable environment shaped a shy and sensitive boy who would eventually find solace in music.
Law authorities caught Hendrix twice riding stolen cars before he turned nineteen. He chose enlistment over prison and joined the US Army on the 31st of May 1961. Assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, he wrote home complaining about physical training and harassment. Fellow serviceman Billy Cox heard him playing an army club and was impressed by his technique. They formed a loose band called the Casuals and performed at base clubs on weekends. Hendrix completed paratrooper training and received the Screaming Eagles patch on the 11th of January 1962. His superiors criticized his conduct and marked him as an unqualified marksman. He claimed later that he received a medical discharge after breaking his ankle during his twenty-sixth parachute jump, though no official records support this injury claim. After leaving the Army in June 1962, he moved to Clarksville, Tennessee with Cox. They formed the King Kasuals and played low-paying gigs at obscure venues. The band eventually found a residency at Del Morocco club on Nashville's Jefferson Street. For two years, Hendrix made a living performing throughout the South on the Theater Owners Booking Association circuit. He backed soul and R&B musicians including Wilson Pickett, Slim Harpo, Sam Cooke, Ike & Tina Turner, and Jackie Wilson.
Chas Chandler of the Animals saw Hendrix play at Cafe Wha? in Greenwich Village on the 24th of September 1966. Chandler brought him to London immediately and signed him to a management contract. He recruited Noel Redding from an audition for the New Animals and Mitch Mitchell from Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames. The trio named themselves the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Their first show occurred on the 13th of October 1966, at the Novelty in Evreux, France. A fifteen-minute performance at Paris Olympia marked their earliest known recording. Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp signed them to Track Records in late October. They recorded Hey Joe on October 23 and Stone Free on November 2. The single released December 16 entered UK charts on December 29, peaking at number six. Purple Haze reached number three in March 1967, followed by The Wind Cries Mary in May. On the 4th of June 1967, McCartney attended their Saville Theatre performance where they played Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. McCartney called it one of the great honors of his career. The band achieved fame after playing Monterey Pop Festival in mid-June 1967. Hendrix opened with Killing Floor wearing exotic clothes and ended by destroying his guitar.
Are You Experienced released the 12th of May 1967, spent thirty-three weeks on UK charts peaking at number two. It featured experimental science fiction pieces like Third Stone from the Sun and post-modern soundscapes. Axis Bold as Love arrived the 1st of December 1967, showcasing stereo panning effects where sounds moved through the listener's space. The title track contained the first recording of stereo phasing. Electric Ladyland began recording the 20th of December 1967, moving to Record Plant Studios in April 1968. Chandler became frustrated with Hendrix's perfectionism and demands for repeated takes. Redding found the studio crowded with friends and guests, describing it as a party rather than a session. Hendrix played many bass parts himself since Redding formed Fat Mattress in mid-1968. The album reached number one US Billboard 200 chart position by November 1968. All Along the Watchtower became his highest-selling single, peaking at number twenty in the US. Burning of the Midnight Lamp was his first recorded song using a wah-wah pedal. Rolling Stone ranked Are You Experienced fifteenth greatest album ever while Guitar World called Electric Ladyland his masterpiece.
Hendrix headlined Woodstock Music and Art Fair in August 1969 despite being awake over three days before taking stage around eight am Monday. An estimated four hundred thousand people attended but only thirty thousand remained when he performed. He changed the band name to Gypsy Sun and Rainbows for this appearance. His rendition of Star-Spangled Banner used copious feedback and distortion to imitate rocket and bomb sounds. Contemporary political pundits described it as an anti-Vietnam War statement. Images show him wearing blue-beaded white leather jacket with fringe, red head-scarf, and blue jeans. Pop critic Al Aronowitz wrote it was the most electrifying moment of Woodstock. Guitar World editors named his Star-Spangled Banner performance greatest of all time in 2011. He played Hey Joe during encore concluding the three-day festival. Upon leaving stage he collapsed from exhaustion. The performance became part of sixties zeitgeist immortalized in 1970 documentary film Woodstock.
Noel Redding quit Experience the 30th of June 1969 after Denver Pop Festival where police used tear gas on audience. Hendrix flew Billy Cox to New York April 21 to start recording sessions. They formed Band of Gypsys with drummer Buddy Miles performing December 31 and January 1 at Fillmore East. These shows produced the only official live LP released during his lifetime. Machine Gun musicologist Andy Aledort called pinnacle of Hendrix career representing warfare through guitar sounds. Miles and Redding later stated manager Michael Jeffery gave Hendrix LSD before final Madison Square Garden appearance the 28th of January 1970. Jeffery fired Miles after show while Cox quit ending Band of Gypsys. Reunited lineup with Cox replaced Redding for Cry of Love tour starting February 1970. Tour included thirty-two performances ending the 1st of August 1970 in Honolulu Hawaii. Second Atlanta International Pop Festival July 4 drew up to five hundred thousand people. New York Pop Festival July 17 considered disaster due to excessive drug consumption before show. European leg began the 2nd of September 1970 when he abandoned performance in Aarhus stating I have been dead a long time.
Hendrix spent most four hundred dollars saved from Army time drinking at Clarksville club July 1962. Alcohol became scourge driving him to fits of pique and rare bursts physical violence. He entered small club drawn by live music and ended handing out bills until sixteen dollars remained. When drunk or mixing drugs with alcohol often became angry and violent. Friend Herbie Worthington said simply turned into bastard when drank. In early morning hours first day Sweden tour January 1968 got into drunken brawl Hotel Opalen Gothenburg smashing plate-glass window injuring right hand. Incident culminated arrest release pending court appearance resulting large fine. 1969 house Benedict Canyon California burglarized while under influence accused friend Paul Caruso theft throwing punches stones chasing away. Days later hit girlfriend Carmen Borrero above eye vodka bottle during jealous rage giving cut requiring stitches. Passing through Toronto International Airport the 3rd of May 1969 authorities found heroin hashish luggage charging possession. Released ten thousand dollar bail required return May 5 arraignment hearing. Jury trial testimony claimed fan gave vial thought legal medication put bag. Acquitted charges Mitchell Redding revealed everyone warned planned drug bust day before flying.
Hendrix died London the 18th of September 1970 from barbiturate-related asphyxia age twenty-seven. Final public performance occurred September 16 informal jam Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club Soho Eric Burdon War. He joined playing Mother Earth Tobacco Road less than forty-eight hours before death. Isle of Wight Festival the 31st of August 1970 marked last major festival appearance. European leg began September 2 when abandoned Aarhus performance stating I have been dead long time. Four days later final concert West Germany Fehmarn met booing jeering fans response cancellation due torrential rain risk electrocution. Cox quit tour days after arrival England suffering severe paranoia taking LSD unknowingly staying parents Pennsylvania. Hendrix spoke leaving manager Michael Jeffery joining Chas Chandler Alan Douglas others. Samarkand Hotel where spent final night became site of his death. Electric Lady Studios opened business the 25th of August 1970 grand opening party held following day. He boarded Air India flight London never returned States. Inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 1992 Experience band described him greatest instrumentalist history rock music. Rolling Stone called pioneering use instrument electronic sound source turning effects fluid vocabulary personal blues.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When was Jimi Hendrix born and where did he arrive in Seattle?
Johnny Allen Hendrix arrived in Seattle on the 27th of November 1942. His father Al Hendrix was stationed in Alabama during his birth and could not visit due to military restrictions.
What happened to Jimi Hendrix after he joined the US Army on the 31st of May 1961?
Hendrix completed paratrooper training and received the Screaming Eagles patch on the 11th of January 1962 before receiving a medical discharge in June 1962. He moved to Clarksville, Tennessee with Billy Cox to form the King Kasuals and play gigs throughout the South.
How did Chas Chandler discover Jimi Hendrix for his career in London?
Chas Chandler saw Hendrix play at Cafe Wha? in Greenwich Village on the 24th of September 1966 and brought him to London immediately. He signed Hendrix to a management contract and recruited Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell to form the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
Why is Jimi Hendrix Woodstock performance considered significant by music historians?
His rendition of Star-Spangled Banner used copious feedback and distortion to imitate rocket and bomb sounds as an anti-Vietnam War statement. Guitar World editors named his Star-Spangled Banner performance greatest of all time in 2011.
What caused Jimi Hendrix death on the 18th of September 1970?
Hendrix died in London from barbiturate-related asphyxia at age twenty-seven while staying at the Samarkand Hotel. His final public performance occurred two days prior on September 16 at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in Soho.