The amazing Jimi Hendrix…
There is the well documented story about one of his first live shows in England…
Eric Clapton was part of the audience listening to him, with other guitarists. They had all heard stories about this young American guitarist, who had just arrived in Britain, so out of curiosity they went along to see what all of the fuss was about. No doubt expecting to be disappointed.
After hearing him play his guitar, left handed. and positioned behind his back…
Followed by his plucking the strings with his teeth. Clapton was heard to gasp…
”I think we all need to go home and practice !“
Even his gimmicks were astounding…
He was the most unique, and fine tuned guitar talent of the lot…
A one off guitar genius, Kissed by the Gods…
So sad that such an amazing talent was lost. Rock Music has never been the same since he died, in many ways it died with him.
The left handed guitar legend in full musical flight…Often seen playing a right handed guitar, turned around, for left handed playing, as well as a standard left handed guitar.
Nothing fazed him, neither playing a guitar behind his back, or with his teeth. Whilst, his use of feed back, was ground breaking, and unique. He was seldom spotted without his guitar by his side, and was considered by so many musicians, to be a modern day Segovia.
Most famous for his version of “All Along The Watchtower”, “Hey Joe”, and “Purple Haze”. Most of his most memorable music being with the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
Kissed by the Gods…Backed here in the “Jimi Hendrix Experience”, by Noel Redding, on Bass and with backing vocals, and Mitch Mitchell, on Drums, and also backing vocals.
Recognized as one of, if not the finest, and most inventive of the rock bands of the sixties. A truly brilliant musical threesome.
Early Days…
His first group, named the ”King Casuals”, was formed by himself and his close army friend Billy Cox, upon discharge from the American army, in Clarksville, Tennessee. Which helps to explain the reasoning behind the famous Monkeys song “Last Train To Clarksville.
He got the idea of playing with his teeth, after watching a guitarist named Butch Snipes, and Alphonso Baby Boo Young performing the highly popular feat.
He was indeed…
A totally unique, and irreplaceable guitar genius.