Jimmi Hendrix

James Marshall Hendrix was born on November 27, 1942 in Seattle, Washington. His parents divorced in the early 50's, and Jimi moved in with his father. When he got a bit older, he became obsessed with his father's collection of classical blues and jazz records, so his father decided to buy him a guitar.

In the spring of 1961, Hendrix decided to join the army, and joined the 101st Airborne Paratroopers. He was there for 14 months until he sustained an ankle injury, and was given an honorable discharge. He then went on to continue his career as a guitarist. He played on many tours with other artists such as BB king, Sam Cooke, Soloman Burke, Ike and Tina Turner, and many others.

Although he learned a lot from these musicians, he became frustrated that he couldn't play what he wanted, and became entangled in a contract dispute with Little Richard. He decided to start his own group, and became the band's singer.

In 1966, using the name Jimmy James, he and his band played in a small coffee houses in Greenwich Village, they were discovered by bassist Chas Chandler (the Animals). Chandler convinced Hendrix to join him in London. He soon went on to become Hendrix's manager. Together they decided that Jimi would be most successful in a trio. So they chose Mitch Mitchell on drums, and Noel Redding to play bass. Thus began The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Together they released three major albums between 1966-1970. Although the band was extremely popular, they broke up when Jimi, who was not of clear mind because of the drugs he was using, believed wrongly that he was being cheated by his management.



Jimi went on to play Woodstock in the summer of 1969. His most memorable moment came when he played an amazing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Shortly thereafter, he formed the Band of Gypsies with his old army buddy Billy Cox on Bass, and Buddy Miles (Electric Flag) on drums. New Year's Eve of that year was spent performing at the Fillmore East in New York City. This opportunity provided them with enough material to release an album entitled Band of Gypsies. (In 1986, another album entitled Band of Gypsies 2 was discovered and released.)

In 1970 Hendrix brought back Mitch Mitchell and began to work on his next album tentatively titled First Rays of the New Rising Sun. Several tracks were recorded, but the sessions were spaced between tour dates, and so the album was left unfinished, and was abandoned completely with the death of Hendrix in September of the same year. The official cause of his death was inhalation of vomit after barbiturate intoxication. In 1993, Scotland Yard re-opened the investigation, but when no new evidence was found, the case was dropped.



....The story of life is quicker than the wink of an eye. The story of love is hello and goodbye until we meet again...

Jimi Hendrix