Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
J
imi Hendrix was born Johnny Allen Hendrix on November 27, 1942.
On September 11, 1946, James Marshall Hendrix became Jimi's official name.
Jimi was discovered by Chas Chandler, bass player for The Animals.
Chas became Jimi's manager, and shortly thereafter Jimi formed
The Experience with Noel Redding on bass and Mitch Mitchell on drums.
The group released their first single, Hey Joe, on December 13, 1966.
In May of 1967, the group released their first album, Are you experienced?
Jimi Hendrix died on September 18 1970. Jimi Hendrix was without a doubt
one of the most original, most inspired artists who ever lived. but Jimi
felt people did notunderstand him, Jimi was not granted enough time to alter
the skillfully manipulated image which had been thrust upon him
by his management. Jimi was very a very spiritual person. He sometimes referred
to his music as �sky church music,� because he felt music could unite people
by drawing them towards the spiritual world and God . Jimi was not a missionary
though; he was a poet with a mission. �To this day, Jimi Hendrix is considered
one of rock�s greatest guitarists. His innovations may, in fact, have not been
equaled... Hendrix was a brilliant songwriter, penning one classic after another.
His influence can be felt throughout rock, from metal to alternative��(Addicted
to Noise). �Jimi Hendrix was the most influential and most imitated guitarist
of rock�n�roll, harnessing distortion and feedback and adopting a psychedelic
image that defined the �60�s�. As of today, Jimi has three songs in the Hall
of Fame: �Purple Haze,��All Along The Watchtower,� and �Voodoo Child�
(Slight Return). �As for radical innovators in the history of African-American
music, the amazing Jimi Hendrix deserves a unique place. He re-invented the
electric guitar, no-one who has played it since has been unmoved. In a few short
years, he had converted guitar solos mired in the blues and the comparatively
undisciplined rock playing into a domineering, aggressive, controlling lead sound.
His use of devices such as the wah-wah pedal have virtually prohibited
their use except to imitate Jimi himself, so complete was his dominance.
No rock player today plays without his influence....Hendrix�s was a
new idea, something spiritual that radiated not only over his guitar, but over
all instruments. The new electrifying aggressiveness of sound stems from Hendrix
and concerns not only all guitarists who follow him. It also concerns, for
example, the best electric pianists in contemporary jazz; it even concerns
the horn men who use electronics--insofar as they use them more imaginatively
than merely for �effect.�(African American Baseline Essay) Jimi is constantly
being rediscovered by new generations. Over 60% of Hendrix�s fans are 21 or younger.
Over 2 million records of Jimi have been sold in each year after his death.
Even today, Jimi still performs. Not live, but by virtual reality.
�The first time I heard Jimi Hendrix, he made me forget everyone else.
He somehow reinvented every musical sound that came before him. Nobody in
the world has played the guitar like that since...�(USA Today 94)
There have even been days set in his honor: �Jimi Hendrix,
pioneering guitarist, of the 1960�s...Jimi Hendrix...continues to be
mourned by music lovers everywhere.
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