Jimi Hendrix: Are YOU Experienced?

Welcome to Rock and Roll Flashback!  I'm Bill Price, and in this edition of Rock and Roll Flashback we’ll look back at the story of Jimi Hendrix and the formation of the psychedelic band The Jimi Hendrix Experience.  Jimi is generally considered as one of the most influential guitarists of the 1960's.  For a short period of time, The Jimi Hendrix Experience captivated the world with its unique psychedelic sound.  But before achieving success in the late 1960's, Jimi performed with several bands beginning in the late 1950's.

All podcasts on the Rock and Roll Flashback Podcast are produced by brothers-in-law Bill Price and "Jumpin' John" McDermott. The Podcast Theme Song, "You Essay", was written by John. It was initially recorded by Bill and John on April 1, 2004 with several revisions since then.
Multiple promo videos and photos for Rock and Roll Flashback Podcasts are available on the following social media sites:

https://www.youtube.com/@RockandRollFlashback

https://www.facebook.com/rockandrollflashbackpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/jumpinjohnmcdermott/

Bill and John welcome your feedback and comments, and they can be emailed to rockandrollflashback@outlook.com.
Thank you for listening to Rock and Roll Flashback Podcasts!
Until next time...
Rock On!

Transcript

In this edition of Rock and Roll Flashback we’ll look back at the story of Jimi Hendrix and the formation of the psychedelic band The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Jimi is generally considered as one of the most influential guitarists of the 1960's. For a short period of time, The Jimi Hendrix Experience captivated the world with its unique psychedelic sound. But before achieving success in the late 1960's, Jimi performed with several bands beginning in the late 1950's.

James Marshall Hendrix whose birth name was Johnny Allen Hendrix, was born on
November 27th, 1942 in Seattle, Washington. Hendrix had four younger siblings, Leon, Joseph, Kathy and Pamela. In 1957, Jimi found a ukulele in the trash he and his father were removing from a woman’s home. Even though the instrument only had one string, Jimi learned to play singles notes to Elvis Presley’s song “Hound Dog”. By the age of 15, he got his first acoustic guitar for 5 dollars. Jimi played every day for hours, observing and learning from experienced guitarists and also listening to blues performers like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, B B King and Robert Johnson.

In 1957, Jimi attended a Hank Ballard and the Midnighters concert in Seattle, where he met the band’s guitarist Billy Davis. After Davis showed Jimi a few guitar licks, he also got Hendrix to perform with the band for a short appearance. Jimi then formed his first band called The Velvetones. However, since he had an acoustic guitar, he could barely be heard over the rest of the group. He soon realized that he needed an electric guitar in order to be heard. By mid 1959, his father bought Jimi his first electric guitar a white Supro Ozark Model 1560 S. Interestingly, two later notable artists Jackson Brown and Aerosmith also used the Supro Ozark.

Jimi’s first performance was in Seattle’s Temple De Hirsch with an unnamed band. His performance was cut short when the band fired Jimi for apparently showing off. He then joined the Rocking Kings, which performed at the Birdland Club. One night Jimi’s guitar was stolen when he left his guitar backstage overnight. His father then bought him a red Silvertone Denelectro to replace the stolen guitar.

At the age of 18, Hendrix was caught riding in stolen cars. He was given the choice of either the Army or prison. On May 31st, 1961, Jimi enlisted in the US Army. After basic training, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and jump school. He soon asked his father to send him his guitar to Fort Campbell where Jimi was stationed. In November Billy Cox, a fellow serviceman heard Hendrix playing in an army club and was impressed by what he heard, especially Jimi’s technique. Cox borrowed a bass guitar and began jamming with Jimi. After a few weeks they were performing in local base clubs on the weekends, along with other musicians in a band called the Casuals. By January 1962, Jimi completed his paratrooper training and was awarded the Screaming Eagles patch. However by February his personal conduct was criticized by his superiors, which led to Jimi’s discharge from the Army under honorable conditions.

After leaving the Army in 1962, Cox and Hendrix moved to Clarksville, Tennessee and formed a band called the King Kasuals. When Jimi was in Seattle, he had seem Butch Snipes play the guitar with his teeth. Alphonso Young who was the second guitarist in the King Kasuals also utilized the same technique. Not to be out done, Jimi also learned to play with his teeth. While in Clarksville, the band performed in low paying little known venues. Eventually they relocated to Nashville, Tennessee where they performed at a popular venue called the Club del Morocco for a short period of time.

For the next two years, Jimi earned a living by performing in various Southern US
venues, which was commonly referred to as the Chitlin’ Circuit. Hendrix also appeared as a backing performer for several artists, which included Wilson Pickett, Sam Cooke, Ike and Tine Turner, Slim Harpo and Jackie Wilson.

In early 1964, Jimi had grown tired of the Chitlin’ Circuit and the rules the bandleaders enforced. So Hendrix moved to Harlem in New York City. There he met Faye Pridgon, who became his girl friend. Since Faye was a native of Harlem who had contacts in the music scene, she provided Jimi with support, housing and encouragement. In February, Hendrix entered the amateur contest in the Apollo Theater and won first prize.

Subsequently he performed with various groups in the Harlem club circuit, with the intent of securing a music career. Through a recommendation, Ronnie Isley auditioned Jimi, which led to an opportunity to become the guitarist for the Isley Brothers backing band The I.B. Specials. In March 1964, Jimi recorded a song titled “Testify” along with the Isley Brothers. The single was released in June, however it failed to make it onto the charts. Then in May he played on Don Covay’s song titled “Mercy, Mercy”. The single was released in August and managed to reach the number 35 position on the Billboard chart. During 1964 Jimi toured with the Isley Brothers, but grew tired of playing the same music night after night. By October he quit the band, and then joined the Upsetters, which was Little Richard’s touring band. While in Los Angeles, Hendrix along with Richard recorded “I Don’t
Know What You Got”. The single only managed to peak at number 92 for one week.

In Hollywood, Jimi met vocalist Rosa Lee Brooks who asked him to take part in her
recording session for the single titled “My Diary”. Hendrix played guitar on the
recording, but just like previous releases, the single failed to chart. In July 1965, Hendrix appeared on television for the first time on Nashville, Tennessee’s Channel 5 Night Train program, performing with Little Richard’s band. However, due to disagreements between Richard and Hendrix, Jimi was fired in July.

After his departure from Richard’s band, Jimi rejoined the Isley Brothers for a short
period and recorded a single titled “Move Over and Let Me Dance”. Later in 1965 he joined Curtis Knight and the Squires, which was a Rhythm and Blues band in New York. For the next eight months, he performed with the Squires. In October they recorded a single titled “ How Would You Feel”. By 1966, Jimi again was feeling boxed in musically, so he relocated to New York’s Greenwich Village. In June, the Café Wha? offered him a residency. Jimi then formed the band Jimmy James and the Blue Flames.

While appearing in several New York clubs, Jimi started to develop his unique guitar playing style. However by May, Jimi was having a difficult time earning a living performing in the R and B clubs. As a result, he rejoined Curtis Knight and the Squires and performed at the Cheetah Club, which was one of New York’s most popular venues. Linda Keith who was the girl friend of the Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, happened to be at the club and was impressed by Jimi’s playing and soon became friends. She later recommended Hendrix to the Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham and producer Seymour Stein. Unfortunately they did not see any potential and rejected Jimi. 

Then, Hendrix was referred to Chas Chandler who was leaving the Animals, and was making the transition from bass player to manager and producer.
While Jimi was performing at the Café Wha?, Chandler heard Hendrix’s version of “Hey Joe” and was certain he could produce a single. So on September 24th, 1966 Chandler brought Jimi to London and signed him to a contract. Later that evening he appeared in a solo performance at a venue called The Scotch of St James. Soon Chandler began the task of hiring musicians for a band. At the audition for the New Animals, Jimi met Noel Redding and was impressed by Noel’s blues knowledge. Chandler then asked Noel if he was interested in playing bass guitar in Jimi’s band. With Redding now on board, Chandler’s next task was to find a drummer and with the help of a friend, Mitch Mitchell was contacted and played in a rehearsal with Hendrix and Redding. After the rehearsal, Chandler offered the job to Mitchell who accepted the offer. Up until this time Hendrix’s first name was spelled as J i m m y, Chandler convinced him to change the spelling to J i
m i, so the band then came to be known as The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

On October 1st, 1966 Cream was scheduled to perform at the London Polytechnic.
Chandler took Jimi to the venue where he met Eric Clapton and asked if he could play on a couple of songs. Clapton agreed and halfway through Cream’s set, Jimi appeared on the stage and performed the Howlin’ Wolf song “ Killing Floor”.

In mid October the Jimi Hendrix Experience performed in their first show, as the
supporting act for Johnny Hallyday on a brief tour in France. Then in late October, Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp signed the Experience to the recently formed Track Records. On October 23rd the band recorded “Hey Joe” and on November 2nd “Stone Free”. In mid November, the band appeared at the Bag O’Nails club in London. In the audience were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Brian Jones, Mick Jagger, Pete Townsend and Jeff Beck.

On December 16th, the first single “Hey Joe” with the B-side “Stone Free” was released on Polydor Records. After performing on two UK television shows, “Hey Joe” climbed to number six. In March 1967 “Purple Haze” rose to number three and in May “The Wind Cries Mary” stayed on the UK charts for eleven weeks and peaked at number six. On March 12, they appeared at the Troiutbeck Hotel, which was only authorized for and audience of 250. When about 900 showed up, the performance was cancelled due to safety issues.

By the end of March 1967, Chandler and Hendrix were looking for ways to increase the band’s coverage in the media. While waiting to perform at the London Astoria, journalist Keith Altham was consulted for advice, he suggested doing something more spectacular than The Who smashing instruments on stage, to which Hendrix joked, “ Maybe I can smash up an elephant”. Altham then replied “Well it’s a pity you can’t set fire to your guitar”. As a result, some lighter fluid was obtained. At the conclusion of Jimi’s 45 minute performance, he set his guitar on fire.

With the success of two singles, work began on material for an album. The recording sessions began at De Lane Lea Studios and later were held at Olympic Studios. The album titled “Are You Experienced” featured several tracks, which included “Red House”, “Remember”, “Third Stone from the Sun”, “I Don’t Live Today” and “Fire”. On May 12, 1967 the album was released and stayed on the UK charts for 33 weeks, peaking at number two. It failed to reach the number one position due to the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper ‘s Lonely Hearts Club Band. On June 4th, 1967, he appeared at London’s Saville Theater, performing his version of the Sgt Pepper title track. Interestingly Paul McCartney and George Harrison were in the audience. The album “Are You Experienced” was released in the US on August 23 and reached the number five position on the Billboard 200.

When the “Hey Joe” single was released in the US, on May 1st, 1967, it failed to make it onto the Billboard Hot 100 in spite of being popular in Europe. However that was about to change, when Paul McCartney urged the organizers of the Monterey Pop Festival to include the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Paul agreed to join the board of organizers only on the condition that Hendrix would be added to the list of performers. At the festival, Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones introduced Hendrix as the most exciting performer. After the introduction, Jimi began with the Howlin’ Wolf song “Killing Floor”, followed by “Hey Joe”, “Rock Me Baby”, “Wild Thing”, “Like a Rolling Stone”, “Foxy Lady”, “Can You See Me”, “The Wind Cries Mary” and finally “Purple Haze”. The performance ended with Jimi setting his guitar on fire; getting the upper hand on The Who, which also appeared at the festival.

After the performance at the Monterey Pop Festival, The Jimi Hendrix Experience
appeared at the Fillmore auditorium for five concerts along with Big Brother and the Holding Company and The Jefferson Airplane. Interestingly after just two nights,
Hendrix replaced the Jefferson Airplane as the headliner act. Later they held a free
concert at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, and then appeared at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles. Initially the Monkees had asked Hendrix to tour with them as a supporting act. However after only six shows, Jimi left the tour.
The second album that was released was titled “Axis: Bold as Love”. Interestingly the release date was nearly delayed, when Jimi lost the master tape of the album’s side one, when he left the tape in the back seat of a London taxi. In order to meet the release deadline, Hendrix, Chandler and engineer Eddie Kramer remixed side one in one overnight session. The album was released in the UK on December 1st, 1967, where it remained on the charts for 16 weeks, peaking at number five. In the US it climbed to number three in February 1968. In addition to performing on the recordings, Jimi demonstrated his skill at working at the mixing console. His ideas on how to record most likely led to the start of disagreements between Jimi and Chas Chandler.

The third and final album was titled “ Electric Ladyland”. The recording sessions began in December 1967 at the Olympic Studios in London. However after attempting a few songs, the sessions were moved to the Record Plant Studios in New York. Once the sessions resumed, Chas’ frustration with Hendrix’s repeated takes, and perfectionism increased. Also Jimi permitted friends and others in the studio control room, which created a crowded situation. This ultimately caused Chas to end his professional relationship with Hendrix. In mid 1968 Noel Redding had formed his own band called Fat Mattress and found it difficult to also play with the Experience.

The “ Electric Ladyland” album was released on October and by November it reached the number one position in the US for two weeks. The album was Jimi’s most successful release making it his only number one double album. In the UK it climbed to number six where it remained on the chart for 12 weeks. The album included Jimi’s cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower”. The single became Hendrix’s best selling US single release, peaking at number 20 and number five in the UK.

In February 1969 the Experience toured in Scandinavia, Germany and France. On the 18th and 24th they performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London. By this time Noel Redding had grown tired of the direction Jimi was taking the music. On April 14th the last recording session that involved Redding took place at the Record Plant in New York.

In August Jimi was the headline performer at the Woodstock festival. For the
performance he added a rhythm guitarist and two conga players. Interestingly, Hendrix was made aware of the substantial increase in size of the audience, which troubled him since he did not like performing for large crowds. Initially Jimi was scheduled to perform on midnight Sunday, however he decided to perform on Monday at 8 AM. By Monday on the final day of the festival, the crowd size was down from an estimated 400,000 to 30,000. The festival’s MC introduced the band as The Jimi Hendrix Experience. However Hendrix insisted that the name was “A Band of Gypsys”, with the band now consisting of Hendrix, Billy Cox on bass, rhythm guitarist Larry Lee, conga players Juma Sultan and Jerry Velez. The performance included Jimi’s version of The Star Spangled Banner. In 2011, the editors of Guitar World named his performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" the greatest performance of all time.

The next album titled “Band of Gypsys” was to be recorded during two live
performances held at the Fillmore East auditorium on December 31st and January 1st. Capitol Records released the album on April 1970, reaching the top ten in the US and the UK. On January 28,1970 The Band of Gypsys appeared in their last performance at the Madison Square Garden before disbanding.

After the band’s breakup, Hendrix worked intermittently on new material for his next LP. However by April 1970, the project was discarded. Then in preparation for the live recording of “Band of Gypsys”, drummer Buddy Miles was brought in. After taking a break from recording, the Cry of Love tour started at the Los Angeles Forum, performing for an audience of 20,000. At the Atlanta International Pop Festival, Hendrix appeared before the largest US audience estimated at 500,000. During the European leg of the Cry of Love tour, Jim’s final concert took place at the Isle of Fehmarn Festival in Germany. After returning to London, Hendrix’s final performance took place at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. Less than 48 later, Jimi Hendrix died on September 18, 1970.

Hendrix was unique in his playing style, which influenced many guitarists. Hendrix was the recipient of numerous rock music awards, both during his life and posthumously. The accolades include Pop Musician of the Year by Melody Maker in 1967 and “Performer of the Year” by Rolling Stone in 1968. In 1969, he was named the “World Top Musician by Guitar Player Magazine, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was installed, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the UK Music Hall of Fame. In 2005 he was inducted into the Native American Music Hall of Fame. In Seattle, Washington, a memorial statute of Jimi playing his Fender Stratocaster guitar is located near the corner Broadway and Pine streets. Jimi’s discography encompasses 3 studio albums, 3 live albums, 2 compilation albums and 14 singles.

In 1968, The Jimi Hendrix Experience performed at the Swing Auditorium in San
Bernardino, California. I was among the fans that heard Jimi play “The Star Spangled Banner” a year prior to his performance at Woodstock. Check out the Swing Auditorium podcast for the history of the venue.

This has been a look back at Jimi Hendrix, his life and music career. We’ll conclude with the number three UK hit, most associated with Hendrix : ”Purple Haze”.