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Biography
Jimi Hendrix Born Johnny Allan Hendrix (which his father later changed to James Marshall Hendrix) on the 27th of November 1942 In Seattle Washington really need no introduction to you people the man who took the rule book on guitar re-wrote it then shredded it lives inside the mind of every guitarist . He has been an inspiration to million of people worldwide and his influence still carries on to the present day with more people picking up the guitar and seeing him as the legend that he was. But however legendary he is to the guitar world one part of his music people tend to overlook is his song writing talents. Well before the MTV generation were born Hendrix was writing enough songs packed with lyrical imagery to put any contemporary "Buzz Bin " clip to shame. As just a glance at some of his most well known songs reveal the man who wrote " Purple Haze " , " Fire " and " Castles Made Of Sand " . His guitar playing in the songs ever phenomenal but the lyrical imagery a lot of the time went unnoticed.
Hendrix is probably the single most-documented rock/blues etc performer of the '60's. Hendrix has been the subject of countless books, films, magazine retrospectives and no doubt UN produced film scripts. Most surprising of all some would say is that this fame whatever you want to call it came from the release of only 4 albums produced in his short career. And a fifth which he had nearly finished towards his Death in September 1970. Since the release of "Are You Experienced? " however there have been an astounding total of 25 charting Jimi Hendrix Albums and well over a hundred bootleg recordings .
Hendrix's story begins in the early 1960's when the Seattle-born guitarist began a post army career backing the likes of Little Richard, The Islet Brothers and Sam Cooke. By 1966, He had made his way to Greenwich Village and formed Jimmy James and The Blues flames it was at this time that Chas Chandler former member of the British group The Animals saw the guitarist perform at a club and invited him to London. By October with Chandler acting as manager the former Jimmy James joined forces with Noel Reading and Mitch Mitchell and the Jimi Hendrix Experience was born. Fun fact when Noel Redding was auditioning for Jimi. Jimi was surprised at how much black music Noel liked but not only did Hendrix pick him as his bassist for this oh no the second reason was because he had cool hair True fact
And immediate sensation struck the world after Jimi's spectacular performance and 1967's Monterey Pop Festival which was captured for the entire world to see on Director D.A Pennabaker's historic film Monterey Pop. Hendrix won further attention with the release of songs like "Purple Haze" and "Foxy Lady "both of which boasted some of the most unusual-sounding guitar playing the world had ever heard. Hendrix was a true master of not only the fret board but of the electronic effects that were becoming very much a big part of the rock and roll worlds overall sound. With the accompaniment of howling feedback, squealing sustained tones and electronic growls that moved from speaker to speaker the guitarist's music was much more than psychedelic It was out of this world.
Hendrix's hold of the 60's charts carried on and he refused to let go. By October 1968 all three of the Jimi Hendrix Experience albums were in the charts at once with " Are You Experienced? " the debut peaking at No 5 , " Axis: Bold As Love " peaking at No, 3 and the double set " Electric Landlady " reading number one and staying there for two weeks . Last album of the three had been helped by Hendrix's unforgettable top 20 cover of the classic Bob Dylan tune "All Along The Watchtower " it's effect was so overwhelming that Dylan himself would use Hendrix's arrangement from that point on .
Hendrix had once said that "Watchtower " felt like it was something he had written but could never get together. He said he often felt that way about Dylan that he could never write the kinds of words he does but he was a big inspiration to him.
Hendrix's song writing influences included much more than Dylan; he was a long-time science fiction fan, and it showed in his work. "Purple Haze" was reportedly inspired by a short story by science fiction writer Philip Jose Farmer;
Hendrix's live work often included many cover songs by well-known artists such as Bob Dylan, the Troggs (both "Like A Rolling Stone" and "Wild Thing" were performed at Monterey), the Beatles ("Day Tripper" and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band"), Cream ("Sunshine Of Your Love"), Chuck Berry ("Johnny B. Goode"), Carl Perkins ("Blue Suede Shoes"), and others.
The Hendrix's influence has lasted well through the millennium because of MCA Records re-releasing " Are Your Experienced? ", " Axis: Bold As Love ", " Electric Landlady" and " First Rays Of The New Rising Sun " a "reissue" of the final record Hendrix had been in the middle of recording prior to his unexpected death in 1970, fragments of which had appeared on his earlier Reprise albums The Cry Of Love, War Heroes, and Rainbow Bridge. Enthusiastically received in their newly re-mastered format, the discs were bought by older fans and a new legion of youthful fans who like so many others before them were captivated by the songs and the guitar-playing of the legendary man from Seattle.
Discography
Are You Expeienced:
Axis Bold As Love:
Electric Landlady:
First Rays Of A New Rising Sun:
List Of Sources: www.alltheweb.com / www.google.com / www.vh1.com / www.msn.com / www.amazon.com / www.xtrememusician.com /
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Posted 01 March 2005 - 02:04 PM
Posted 14 July 2005 - 05:53 PM
