Jimi Hendrix

James Marshall James Marshall was born in New Westminster, Britis >> Read More... "Jimi" Hendrix, famous American songwriter, a guitarist was born on November 27, 1942. He is one of the most celebrated musician and a huge cultural figure of the 20th century, precisely the sixties era. Even though his mainstream career spanned over a short time, in the four years of his presence he made his mark as a pioneer guitarist. Hendrix was born in Seattle, Washington, to Lucille Jeter and James Allen Ross Hendrix; both of African-American descent. He initiated playing the guitar at the age of 15, after having acquired his first acoustic guitar at a small price. “Velvetones,” was the first band he formed after earnest self-learning how to play the guitar. His journey with his first band ended a little time after him switching to an electric guitar. He later went on to join the Rocking Kings, who played at professional venues, as compared to his previous band.

At the age of 19, Hendrix joined the U.S Army, and in the 101st Airborne Division, he trained as a paratrooper. He received an honorable discharge the next year. After the discharge from the army, he moved to Clarksville, Tennessee, with his fellow serviceman Billy Cox, whom with he formed a band named “King Kausals.” Having played low-paying gigs at grim venues, they moved to Jefferson Street, the traditional core of the black community in the city. They earned their living performing at the venues of the Chitlin' Circuit. By 1964 he felt he had nothing more to gain from his current circuit he decided to step out on his own, and moved to Harlem in search of something new. He participated in the Apollo Theatre amateur contest, securing the first place. Hendrix started playing in the Harlem circuit and chanced upon an audition which brought to him the offer to play as the guitarist with the back-up band for The Isley Brothers’, I.B Specials.

He landed his first recording in March 1964, a single with two parts, with the Isley Brothers, “Testify,” which didn’t reach the charts. He toured with the band for almost the whole year before leaving the band in October. Little Richards’ touring band, The Upsetters was where he found himself, only so briefly, as he was fired from the band over opinion clashes post his first television appearance on Nashville's Channel 5 Night Train. Later that year he found his way to New York Click to look into! >> Read More... and joined the R&B band, Curtis Knight, and the Squires. While being with Knight, he worked on several recordings with King Curtis which included Ray Sharpe’s two-part single, “Help Me,” and toured with Joey Dee and the Starliters. By May 1966, Hendrix was suffering to earn a living, but with the turn of events, by September that year, he was in London. Chas Chandler, from The Animals, took up managing Hendrix and was now building up to what would be the biggest success of Hendrix brief career.

Chas began recruiting members to form a band which would put Hendrix’s skills in the spotlight, creating – The Jimi Hendrix Experience. They showcased their very first performance at the Novelty in Evreux on October 13, 1966. The Bag O'Nails nightclub in London was their next big stage show, with Clapton, John Lennon, Pete Townshend, Jeff Beck, Brian Jones Brian Jones was born on February 28th, 1942 at The >> Read More... , Paul McCartney Mick Jagger, and Kevin Ayers attending it. In a few months, Hendrix had earned three UK top hit with “Hey Joe," "Purple Haze," and "The Wind Cries Mary,” all these belonging to The Jimi Hendricks Experience. Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 was the US entry blast for Hendrix. Electric Ladyland, topped the US charts; it was Hendrix first and only number one album. He turned into the world’s highest paid performer with the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970 and the Woodstock Festival in 1969. These were his last performances before his sudden death on 18 September 1970, from asphyxia, at the age of 27.