Johnny Allen Hendrix
Nov. 27, 1941 - Sept. 18th, 1970
Thesis
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While Hendrix was often considered a
negative influence on the American youth,
his contributions to the music industry and
the world were far greater.
The Early Years
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Al & Lucille Hendrix give birth in Seattle
Al changes Johnny’s name to James
Marshall when Jimi was four
Attended school in Seattle and Vancouver,
B.C.
Lucille dies when Jimi was fifteen
Musical Steps
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Al buys Jimmy first guitar at age
seventeen. Shortly after, he plays first gig
at the Washington National Guard Armory
In Kent, as a member of the Velvetones.
Later on in 1959, he joins the Rocking
Kings, and switches from bass to lead
guitar.
The Rocking Kings(1959-1960)
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Does three shows before landing regular
gig at local club.
While at the club his guitar gets stolen,
and Al buys him a new one.
In the summer of 1960, joins new group
called the Tom Cats
The Tom Cats(1960-1961)
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Plays various gigs around northwest
Drops out of high school in October of
Senior year
Arrested twice in May of 1961 for car theft
Enlists in army at the end of May, and
leaves the band
The King Kasuals(1962)
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Joins up with fellow soldiers and plays in
various places around the southeast
While with the band, he gets a medical
discharge for breaking his ankle on his
approx. 25th parachute jump
After the other band mates are
discharged, they move to Nashville
Bobbie Taylor & The
Vancouvers(1962-1963)
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Goes home for the winter and joins up
with band while living with Grandmother
in Vancouver, B.C.
In March of 1963, he goes back to
Nashville and meets George Odell
Together the two join up with a tour
including the Supremes and Little Richard
Going Solo
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Wins Amateur Night
at the Apollo in NYCJan. 1964
Spends most of 1964
touring with the Isley
Bros.
During tour stop in
Seattle, his guitar is
stolen, again.
More Solo
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Begins touring with various acts, including
Ike & Tina Turner, a 2nd stint with Little
Richard, Curtis Knight & The Squires, &
Albert Collins
In Jan. 1966 he joins up with King Curtis
and tours the south with them until May of
66’
Summer of 66’
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After touring with more bands like The
Animals and his first own band, “Jimmy
James & the Blue Flames”, He meets Chas
Chandler, and talks him in to coming to
England.
He leaves Sept. 23rd, 1966
Europe
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After Meeting Mitch
Mitchell & Noel
Redding, the three
form the “Jimi
Hendrix Experience”
They released “Are
You Experienced” in
Europe in May, 1967,
and the U.S. three
months later
Highlights of Europe
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May 31, 1967- Jimi
burns his 1st guitar
Jams with Cream,
and The Animals
Releases Hits like Hey
Joe, Purple Haze, &
Foxy Lady
U.S. Reintroduction
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In June of 1967, after nearly 175
European Performances, The Experience
were asked to play the Monterey
International Pop Festival by John Phillips
of the Mamas & The Papas
Groups there included The Who, Buffalo
Springfield, Ravi Shankar, The Beach Boys,
and Jefferson Airplane
The Odd Couple
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The Experience played
around the U.S. for a
couple weeks before
going on tour with The
Monkees.
It lasted eight shows
They stuck around the
states until mid-August,
and went back to the
U.K.
Europe-Part 2
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They toured Europe
from August of 67’
until the end of Jan.
of 68’
Produced and
released the groups
2nd album, Axis: Bold
As Love
The Next U.S. Tour
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Beginning in Feb. of 68’ The Experience
begin performing across the U.S.
Highlights include jamming with a drunk
Jim Morrison and records with B.B. King
In mid-May, they go to Europe and
continue to jump back and forth over the
Atlantic through the end of June
Travels
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June 5th, 1968-The Lonely Heart Show
June 15th-Jams with Clapton In NYC
Sept. 9th-Plays Memorial Coliseum
Nov. 11th-Jams with Fleetwood Mac in NYC
Electric Ladyland
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The only album
produced by Jimi
Released in October
of 68’
Cover Controversy
The Gypsy Sons
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Noel left the group in
June of 1969, and
gradually Jimi became
more involved in playing
alongside Buddy Miles &
Billy Cox
The group never released
a studio album
Two live albums were
released, one after Jimi’s
death
Woodstock
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Appears with the
Gypsy Sons
Woke everyone at 8
AM on third day with
National Anthem
Post-Woodstock
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Continued to tour with Gypsy Sons until
Oct. of 69’
Creates Band Of Gypsys and they tour
until Jan. of 70’
In mid-March of 70’ Jimi briefly returns to
England before doing his final U.S. tour
Final Productions
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Spent some time in the studio recording a
Woodstock album
Plays final U.S. show in Honolulu on
August 1st, 1970
Goes to Europe to tour and plays final
concert in West Germany on Sept. 6th
The End Is The Beginning
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After a tiring day
Sept. 17th, Jimi takes
4 sleeping pills to help
him rest
Pronounced dead
shortly before noon
the next day in
London
The End
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“The story of life is
quicker than the wink
of an eye. The story
of love is hello and
goodbye, until we
meet again.” 9/17/70