Jimi Hendrix Autobiography

By Jake Lohoefer

"Arguably the best guitarist and musician of all time."

James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was born on November 27th, 1942. He was an american musician, singer/songwriter who had an extreme influence on rock and blues music. Even though his mainstream career only lasted about four years, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as "arguably the greates instrumentalist in the history of rock music." Hendrix has inspired the likes of many guitarists and musicians, with hit songs such as Voodoo Child, All Along the Watchtower, Foxy Lady, and Purple Haze.

Voodoo Child
All Along the Watchtower
Foxy Lady
Purple Haze


History

Born as Johnny Allen Hendrix, Jimi lived in Seattle, Washington and began playing the guitar at the age of 15. He enlisted in the Army in 1961, but was discharged the following year on account of laziness and being caught sleeping while he was supposed to be keeping watch. Soon after moving to Tennessee, he started to play shows and gain a following with multiple groups like the Isley Brothers, Little Richard, and Curtis Knight and The Squares. In 1966, he moved to England, where he would earn three UK top ten hits from his album Jimi Hendrix Experience within a few months.



Influence

Hendrix has inspired the likes of many guitarists, with his completely unheard of style, sound, and methods to playing. It was not uncommon for Jimi to play on a right handed guitar left handed, which means he would flip the guitar upside down and play so well that the audience could not fathom just how talented the young man was. Those good enough to play Jimi's songs and copy his methods have also earned the spotlight, like Stevie Ray Vaughan. a Texas born musician who would go on to make outstanding covers of Hendrix's songs such as Voodoo Child, and an instrumental version of Little Wing.



From Live at the El Mocambo with Stevie Ray Vaughan:
Voodoo Child
Little Wing

Hendrix has also inspired the likes of more modern musicians, like John Mayer, who has covered many of his songs and re-released them on some of his own albums. Songs such as Bold as Love, and Wait Until Tomorrow were performed live in Mayers performance/film Where The Light Is featuring other covers of B.B. King, and Ray Charles.



From John Mayers Where The Light Is live performance/documantary at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles:
Bold As Love
Wait Until Tomorrow