A CLASSIC MUSIC INFLUENCE......Concerning the Guitar, Jimi Hendricks is the MAN!

THE STARS and STRIPES Played at WOODSTOCK
MACHINE GUN
PURPLE HAZE
VOODOO CHILE
FOXY LADY
JOHNNIE BE GOOD

LITTLE WING

In his brief four-year reign as a superstar, Jimi Hendrix expanded the vocabulary of the electric rock guitar more than anyone before or since. Hendrix was a master at coaxing all manner of unforeseen sonics from his instrument, often with innovative amplification experiments that produced astral-quality feedback and roaring distortion. His frequent hurricane blasts of noise and dazzling showmanship -- he could and would play behind his back and with his teeth and set his guitar on fire -- has sometimes obscured his considerable gifts as a songwriter, singer, and master of a gamut of blues, R&B, and rock styles.

When Hendrix became an international superstar in 1967, it seemed as if he'd dropped out of a Martian spaceship, but in fact he'd served his apprenticeship the long, mundane way in numerous R&B acts on the chitlin circuit. During the early and mid-'60s, he worked with such R&B/soul greats as Little Richard, the Isley Brothers, and King Curtis as a backup guitarist. Occasionally he recorded as a session man (the Isley Brothers' 1964 single "Testify" is the only one of these early tracks that offers even a glimpse of his future genius). But the stars didn't appreciate his show-stealing showmanship, and Hendrix was straight-jacketed by sideman roles that didn't allow him to develop as a soloist. The logical step was for Hendrix to go out on his own, which he did in New York in the mid-'60s, playing with various musicians in local clubs, and joining white blues-rock singer John Hammond, Jr.'s band for a while.

It was in a New York club that Hendrix was spotted by Animals bassist Chas Chandler. The first lineup of the Animals was about to split, and Chandler, looking to move into management, convinced Hendrix to move to London and record as a solo act in England. There a group was built around Jimi, also featuring Mitch Mitchell on drums and Noel Redding on bass, that was dubbed the Jimi Hendrix Experience. The trio became stars with astonishing speed in the U.K., where "Hey Joe," "Purple Haze," and "The Wind Cries Mary" all made the Top Ten in the first half of 1967. These tracks were also featured on their debut album, Are You Experienced?, a psychedelic meisterwerk that became a huge hit in the U.S. after Hendrix created a sensation at the Monterey Pop Festival in June of 1967.

INTERVIEW with THE MASTER
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GUESS Where Jimi started.................THE ISELY BROTHERS
Work to DO!
Twist and Shout!

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Comment by Edie Antoinette on November 26, 2008 at 10:39am
Actually he goes into the "Jimi" mode at about 3:04 on Gypsy.
Comment by Edie Antoinette on November 26, 2008 at 10:37am
Ronn! Hi Dear--I miss you! Yes--click the link above that says 'Evan Christian' (right above your latest comment)..

Listen to Gypsy at approx 3:10 on through...this young man has mad skillz.
Comment by Ronn Nichols on November 26, 2008 at 10:31am
OH Boy ..............I would love to see him, if thats the case.....After all I like goose pimples as well as the next guy! Have you anything posted on site, My Darling Friend!

Ronn
Comment by Edie Antoinette on November 26, 2008 at 10:03am
Imagine if Evan Christian (my son) was given the recognition that he deserves. The black cyber-world has let him down in that as many times that I have featured him, he is virtually ignored, except by a few. He is just as good as Jimi Hendrix, Santana, and Prince. In fact, I invite you to take a listen William H. Clark, and then re-state your comment about Jimi:
Evan Christian
Comment by Edie Antoinette on October 15, 2008 at 11:36am
Very comprehensive!

Remembering Q

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Quincy Jones is thoroughly entwined in the musical background of my young adulthood. A genius of unique quality. I have been posting blogs and music throughout the years and decided to embark on the arduous but satisfying task of gathering some of it to remember the excellent legacy that he left.
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