Gregory+McRae

 Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970)  The quote “I sacrifice part of my soul every time I play,” says something about Jimi Henrix’s passion and his severe problems leading to his tragic death. Jimi Hendrix was born Johnny Allen Hendrix on November 27, 1942 in Seattle, Washington, United States Of America. His Father Al was drafted to the war the week after his mother, Lucille discovered she was pregnant; she was seventeen at the time. Al did not meet Jimi until Jimi was three years old. Jimi was very poor for his early life, and had a brother, Leon, who died at birth; his parent’s second child was named after Leon. When Jimi was about five years old his father legally changed his name to James Marshall Hendrix. His parents had many domestic fights, and parties, that sometimes were caused by alcohol abuse, during which young Jimi retreated to his closet, or his grandmother in Canada. People who knew Jimi when he was extremely young notices that he was very detached from other people, which is believed to be because of such fights and parties. Jimi wanted a guitar for a very long time. Jimi made “guitar-like” instruments until he had the money to buy a legitimate guitar; these included a broom with a string on it, and a ukulele with one string. Jimi finally got enough money to buy a guitar from a local pawn shop, for $5.00. He loved his guitar. He taught himself songs by blues greats Muddy Waters and B.B. King. He even slept with his guitar by his side. Jimi was a lefty so he had to flip his righty guitar. Jimi’s first band was called The Rocking Kings, they didn’t go anywhere. All of these factors, led to the surprise of Jimi joining the army when he was at the age seventeen. While in the reserve Jimi met Billy Cox, and they formed The King Kasuals.

After returning from the war Jimi was discovered and tours with musicians like Little Richard, Hank Ballard, The Supremes, and many more and in 1963 releases his record debut on Two Lonnie Youngblood Singles. After this happens, he is featured on an Isley Brothers record and writes a song with Curtis Knight. In 1965 Jimi played in Little Richard’s backing band and signs his first contract with PPX productions. In 1966 Jimi Hendrix forms his band Jimmy James and the Blue Flames where he is noticed and brought to London where he meets Noel Redding (bassist for The Jimi Hendrix Experience) and Mitch Mitchell (drummer for The Jimi Hendrix Experience) Mitch’s position was decide upon a coin toss. Later that year the trio release there first record, “Hey Joe,” and “Stonefree” on Polydor records. Pete Hey Joe” Townsend of The Who said, on the subject of Hendrix and “Hey Joe,” “It’s the most psychedelic experience I ever had, going to see Hendrix play, when he started to play, something changed ; colours changed everything.” Also in 1966, Jimi signs a One million dollar recording deal with Respise Records, and goes on a 24 date tour in the U.K. with Cat Stevens. Jimi is famous for his performances during wich he did things like, lighting his guitar on fire, and playing his guitar with his teeth. Later this year The Experience released one of the most famous songs of the sixties, “Purple Haze.” Also in this year The Jimi Hendrix Experience released their LP, “Are You Experienced?” which hit #2 on charts held off of the number one spot by, The Beatles Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. After this the trio embarks on a tour of the U.S.A. and the United Kingdom. The next song to be recorded is “Burning of the Midnight lamp.” The Jimi Hendrix Experience went on to play 180 tours in 1967 and release their second LP “Axis: Bold as Love.”

In 1968 The Experience released “Smash Hits,” which included songs from the first four singles, and first two albums. At the end of the year the double album “Electric Ladyland” is released. In 1969 the experience plays their final show together at the Denver Pop Festival. On August 18th Jimi Hendrix plays at one of the most remembered festivals of all time, Woodstock. Jimi was the festivals final performer and he played the national anthem on his guitar. This performance was an extremely famous happening. After, this performance he released, “Band of Gypsys.”

One of the many sad points of Jimi’s life was his drug problem. Jimi Hendrix did experiment with hallucinogens like LSD and did smoke marijuana. Jimi was once arrested with the possession of heroin, but later proven innocent and after admitting to experimenting with drugs. After 1969 Jimi’s life seemed to be on a turn for the worse. In 1970 Jimi plays his final Seattle show during which he was abusive to the audience, opens Electric Ladyland Studios, the highpoint of the year, and has many bad performances. Finnally on September 18, 1970, Jimi Hendrix dies of a drug overdose. In his life Jimi Hendrix was never arried even though women loved him. After his death many albums were released. In 1992 Jimi Hendrix was indicted to the Rock and Roll hall of fame. Also, during his life was the Vietnam war and the Korean ar, aswell as the cold war.

I chose to do my Famous People Research project on Jimi Hendrix because, he is an extremely influential and talented musician. Also, because I’m a musician and I deeply enjoy Jimi’s work. Another reason why I chose Jimi Hendrix is because he is one of the many deceased musicians who died young, and there is always the question, what could he of done? During Hendrix’s life there were wars and it was the psychedelic age and would his music change with the culture or would it he continue to release his amazing late 60’s sound? The world will never know because of his tragic death. I was also inspired to do this report after seeing a video of his amazing Woodstock performance. After seeing this video I was in shock of mixed emotions shocked by his talent and sad because I know of his tragic death.

Bibliography Cross, Charles R. A Room Full of Mirrors: A Jimi Hendrix. New York, New York.:Hyperion 2005 Rees, Dayfd and Crampton, Luke."Jimi Hendrix" VH1 Music First Rockstars Encyclopedia, 1st U.S. edition: New York, New York.:DK Publishing, 1999 "Jimi Hendrix." Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2009.