Jimi Hendrix-The legend of rock

Biography

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Real Name : Johnny Allen Hendrix (later re-named James Marshall Hendrix)
Born : November 27, 1942, Seatle, Washington
Died : September 18, 1970, London, England

Jimi Hendrix was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. Hendrix is considered one of the greatest and most influential guitarists in rock music history. After initial success in England, he achieved worldwide fame following his 1967 performance at the Monterey Pop Festival. Later, Hendrix headlined the iconic 1969 Woodstock Festival before his death in 1970, at the age of 27.

Hendrix's parents divorced when he was nine years old, and in 1958 his mother died. He went to live with his Cherokee grandmother because of his unstable household. At age 12, he received his first guitar, an acoustic to replace the broom stick he would strum like one Learning quickly, he played in many local bands, playing as far away as Vancouver. Hendrix did not graduate from high school. Hendrix later claimed that he was expelled for holding hands with his white girlfriend, but when questioned later, his principal insisted that it was due to poor grades and frequent absenc

As a youngster, Hendrix displayed a keen interest in music, especially the blues, and went about collecting records by such artists as Muddy Waters, BB King, Chuck Berry and Eddie Cochran. Hendrix's father recalled in his book how a young Jimi would spend hours on the porch playing along with these records on an old guitar. It was here that Jimi learned the first guitar riffs and licks he would later take and turn inside out and upside down, and quite literally set the music world on fire.

Hendrix got into trouble with the law twice for riding in a stolen car. He was given a choice between spending two years in prison or joining the "United States Army". Hendrix chose the latter and enlisted on May 31, 1961. After completing boot camp, he was assigned to the "101st Airborne Division" and stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. His commanding officers considered him to be a sub-par soldier.He slept while on duty, had little regard for regulations and showed no skill as a marksman. He was given an early release from military service in Fort Campbell, Kentucky for claims of "homosexual thoughts".

Early Career

After his release, Hendrix and army friend Billy Cox moved to nearby Clarksville, Tennessee, where they formed a band called The King Kasuals. Playing in low-paying gigs at obscure venues, the 'band' eventually moved to Nashville. Playing and sometimes living in the clubs along Jefferson Street, the traditional heart of Nashville's black community and home to a lively rhythm and blues scene offered some sort of 'existence'. In November 1962, Hendrix participated in his first studio session, where his wild but still undeveloped playing found him cut from the soundboard.

For the next three years, Hendrix made a precarious living on the Chitlin Circuit, performing in black-oriented venues throughout the South with both the King Kasuals and in backing bands for various soul, R&B, and blues musicians, including Chuck Jonson,Slim Harpo, Tommy Tucker, Sam Cooke, and Jackie Wilson. The Chitlin Circuit was an important phase of Jimi's career, since the refinement of his style and blues roots occurred there. His work garnered him little fame or profit, and the extremes of racism and poverty that he endured left an indelible mark on his memories of this era.

In 1965, guitar pioneer and producer Less Paul Watched Hendrix audition for a nightclub gig in Greewich Village, NYC, and was awestruck by his perpormance. An errand forced Les Paul to leave the club before he had the cahance to speak with Hendrix. Whe he returned later to contac and sign Hendrix.that year hendrix earned a spot as the new guitarist for the Isley Brothers" Band and joined the tour. Hendrix played his first succesful studio session on two-part Isley Brothers hit "Testify", in Nashville. He left the Isley Brothers to tour with Gorgeous George Odell. In Atlanta, he earned a spot in the backing band of little Richard, The Upsetters.


In 1965, Hendrix joined a New York-based band, Curtis Knight and the Squires. Hendrix then toured for two months with Joey Dee and the Starliters before rejoining the Squires in New York. On October 15, 1965, Hendrix signed a three-year recording contract with entrepreneur Ed Chaplin

In 1966, Hendrix formed his own band, Jimmy James and The Blue Flames. Hendrix with his new band quickly gained local attention and played throughout New York City. During this period, Hendrix met and worked with singer-guitarist Ellen Mcllwaine and guitaris Jeff"Skunk" Baxter. Hendrix also met Frank Zappa during this time, who is credited as having introduced Hendrix to the newly invented wah-wah pedal.


The Jimi Hedrix Experience
In 1965 Chas Chandler, who was ending his tenure as bassis in The Animal and looking for talent to manage and produce. Chandler was enamored with the song "Hey Joe" and was conviced that he could create a hit single by remaking it in to a rock song.

Impressed with Hendrix's version, Chandler brought him to London and signed him to a management and production contract with him self and ex-Animals manager Michael Jeffery. Chandler then helped Hendrix form a new band, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, with guitarist-turned-bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, both british musician. Shortly before the Experience was formed, Chandler introduce Hendrix to Pete Townshend and to Eric Clapton, who had only recently formed Cream. At Chandler's request, Cream let Hendrix join then on stage for gig. Hendrix and Clapton remained friends up until Hendric's death.

After a number of European club appearances, word of Hendrix spread through the London music community. His showmanship and virtuosity made instant fans of reigning guitar heroes Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, as well as members of The Beatles and The Who, whose managers signed Hendrix to The Who's record label, Track Record.

Hendrix's first single was a cover of "Hey Joe", crafted after folk-singer Tim Rose's slower revision of the song and adapted to Hendrix's emerging style. Backing the first single was Jimi's first songwriting effort, "Stone Free". Further success came with "Purple Haze" and "The Wind Cries Mary". The three singles were all UK Top 10 hits. Onstage, Hendrix was also making a huge impression with fiery renditions of the B.B. King hit "Rock Me Baby" and an ultra-fast revision of Howlin wolf's blues classic, "Killing Floor".

Discography

• Are You Experienced (1967)


• Axis-Bold As Love (1967)


• Smash Hits(1968)


• Electric Lady Land(1968)


• Band of Gypsies (1970)


• Monterey (1970)


• Cry Of Love (1971)


• Rainbow Bridge (1971)


• Live At Isle Of Wight (1971)


• Eternal Fire Of (1971)