Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix 1942 - 1970

Question #1. Give a brief biographical sketch (one paragraph) of the musician or group and describe the style of music.

He was born in Seattle, Washington with the first name of John. His name was changed to Jimmy when his father returned from the Army. Jimmy was only four at the time. His mother left when he was ten. His dad buys him his first electric guitar when he is sixteen. He joins the Army in 1961 and discharged one year later. He plays in a few bands and moves to New York City in 1965. In 1966 he moves to London and forms his band The Jimi Hendrix Experience. He quickly becomes a legendary live performer with several of his performances still revered to this day. He dies in his sleep on September 18, 1970 while staying at the Samarkand Hotel in London.

Jimi’s style of music was based in the blues but he took music to heights it had never previously been. From jazz to hard rock, then psychedelic rock to something even farther beyond. He blended human, guitar, and amp to the point you could not tell where one ended and the next began. He was a virtuoso thirty years ahead of his time creating sounds never heard before from an electric guitar.

Question #2. Why did you select this musician or music group?

Jimi Hendrix has always been my favorite guitar player. I was fortunate to have grown up in the late 60’s and early 70’s so his music was still on the radio stations everyday. Several of my older friends first introduced me to his music. When I saw the syllabus and that Spencer Hale had dropped the class thus no one was giving a presentation on Jimi, I knew immediately who my final paper would be on.

Question #3. What are the rock roots of this music? Explain in detail. From a musical and philosophical perspectives, who or what influenced this group or musician?

Jimi’s rock roots are based in The Blues, Jazz, and Rhythm and Blues. He taught himself to play the guitar by listening to his father’s blues records. The...