Jimi Hendrix • 1942 - 1970

On this day forty-two years ago, the world lost a great talent when Jimi Hendrix was discovered dead in the apartment of his girlfriend. To this day, many consider Hendrix to be the greatest electric guitar player that has ever lived, bar none. Remarkably, he gained this reputation with only three years in the spotlight, first garnering attention with a great performance at the 1967 Monterrey Pop Festival. Before that Jimi and his band, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, had success in Europe, but were virtually unknowns in his home country. But Monterrey changed that, and he followed that up with another great showing time and again, including an iconic show at the 1969 Woodstock Festival. I will start with a wonderful blues performance by Hendrix, not a live video, but one certainly worth hearing. The song had music by the great Booker T. Jones and lyrics by the amazing William Bell. It is "Born Under A Bad Sign", and I hope you love it as much as I do.



Now we can take a look at the live performances that have been captured of the talented musician and showman. "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)" was written by Jimi, and appeared on the third and final album from The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Electric Ladylove. The song was originated as a studio jam with Hendrix playing with another great guitarist, Steve Winwood. The music was taken to another level, as only Hendrix could.



"Purple Haze" appeared on the 1967 album, Are You Experienced?, the first album from The Jimi Hendrix Experience. It was released as the second single off the album, and has gone on to reach iconic standing for many of the great minds of Rock music.



The next song was not written by Hendrix, although he so made the song his own, it is hard to really call it a cover. Stories say Hendrix kept returning to the studio over a three month period until he was satisfied, and Bob Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower" appeared on the final album, Electric LadyLove.



As you can see and hear, Jimi Hendrix left a rich legacy behind, even though he left the world much too young. He was just 28 years old, with only three studio albums, although many lost recordings have surfaced and been repackaged time and time again in various compilations. You can purchase Experience Hendrix: The Best of The Jimi Hendrix on both iTunes and Amazon. But like many from that generation, Jimi found himself at the mercy of an addiction, found dead following a long night of partying. While the circumstances surrounding the discovery of his body have been long questioned, it doesn't change the fact that and inspired talented was no longer going to share his gifts with the world. Rest In Peace, Jimi.

Woodstock • Day 3

Top: The Woodstock Crowd. Clockwise: Joe Cocker; Johnny Winter; Jimi Hendrix; and The Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

We have reached the final day of the Woodstock Music & Art Fair, Sunday, August 18, 1969. I've gone over the first two days, here and here. The crowds were still huge and supportive for the entire three-day weekend, despite the occasional rain. Since Jefferson Airport didn't finish their set until almost 10AM, the Sunday schedule didn't start until 2PM, giving people a chance to catch a few hours of sleep. I would not question that at least some of the audience were wakened by the first strains of Joe Cocker and the Grease Band playing "Something's Coming On" off Cocker's first album, With A Little Help From My Friends. Cocker was known as a Englishman who delivered some of the strongest soul music of the time. The song was written by Cocker and Chris Stainton, who played keyboard in the Grease Band. The band went on to record on their own, back Cocker and also Marianne Faithfull. But here is Cocker singing the R&B classic, "Let's Get Stoned".



The song, written by Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson and Josephine Armstead, was first recorded by the Coasters in 1965. Then there was the first and only repeat of the festival. Country Joe and the Fish. Well, Country Joe McDonald was a repeat, this time with his former band, the Fish. Then came the English band known for their strong Blue Rock, Ten Years After. The band got their name after it formed in 1966, ten years after Elvis Presley had his breakout in 1956. Then came another of my favorites at the festival, The Band. So Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, and Richie Manuel took to the stage at 10PM Sunday night, paying some of their great songs. The Band were followed by by the great blues guitarist Johnny Winter, who was joined for at least part of the set by his brother, Edgar Winter. Johnny was known for his amazing guitar work, playing the blues with greats like Muddy Waters. He also loved to incorporate his influences in his music, like Native American rhythms. Here he is playing the third song in his set, which began at midnight Sunday night. "Mean Town Blues" is a song he had written himself.



While Winter had set the bar high with his set, with great music including the jam featured above. He was followed by the brilliant group, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and Neil Young played a brilliant set of some of their best music, with their mind-blowing harmonies and compelling music. Apparently, 6AM meant it was time for more Blues, and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band took to the stage. Butterfield love the blues, and after hooking up with fellow Blues lover Elvin Bishop, was ofter hanging with Blues legends Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter and Otis Rush. And while he often took on lead vocals, his fantastic harmonica playing is where he excelled. Butterfield also formed the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. At Woodstock, he performed Little Walter's song, "Everything's Gonna Be Alright".



At 7:30AM Monday morning, Sha Na Na. They were a group known for their retro look and sound, playing 1950s Doo-Wop and Rock And Roll. Once they were done, it was time for the final act of the festival. Those honors went to the great Jimi Hendrix, playing with the Band of Gypsys, although introduced at the Jimi Hendrix Experience. From 9AM to just past 11AM, they rocked, rolled, and jammed like there was no tomorrow. He played some of his greatest music, and gave performances that will go down in history, His classic psychedelic version of the "Star Spangled Banner" is legendary. He also played music he was known and will be known for forever, like his great song, "Purple Haze".



And so, at 11:10AM on Monday morning, the Woodstock Music Festival came to a close. Sadly, just thirteen months later, Hendrix was found dead in London, the victim of an apparent overdose. Controversy swirled around his death, with lies being told about what went on, and some people suggesting he might have been murdered. But in August of 1969, he took part in an event that will keep him memory forever alive and vibrant. Woodstock is a music festival that will continue to be the topic of conversation for music lovers of all eras.

Saturday Rocks Out at Irene

Clockwise: Jimi Hendrix; The Doors; REO Speedwagon; and The Alarm.

Rocking out while preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Irene, I was thinking I would try to rock her out to sea. So while racking my brain about songs, this is the weather-intensive rockers I came up with. I will lead off with one of the grand-daddies of them all, Riders On The Storm by The Doors. The song was released in 1971, and made it to #14 on the US Billboard Hot 100.



While Jimi Hendrix never released In From The Storm as a single. In fact, it didn't make it on to an album while he was alive, although he did play it in concert. But the Guitar God has had the song included on many of the posthumous collections. Here is a clip of In From The Storm.



Well, REO Speedwagon released their second single in 1973. Ridin' The Storm Out was the title cut from the album of the same name, and was so characteristic of the Midwest rock songs of the era. Check it out.



In 1984, one of my favorite bands were the hard-rocking Welsh group The Alarm. Always riding the fine line between Punk, Rock and Alternative Rock, they never failed to disappoint me. Check out there hard-rocking Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke, which seems so perfect for this weekend!



Be strong, East Coasters, and stay safe!

Saturday Rocks at Woodstock

One 600-acre farm was the home to over 500,000 music fans, braving the elements, many with the assistance of, shall we say, chemical enhancement. It was 1969, a time when the youth of America were celebrating freedom and love, and this three-day concert was steeped in both. The line-up was impressive, although some big names shied away, not sure about it. We now know that many consider it one of the seminal events in the history of rock, something the documentary made very clear.

I have had a thing for The Band for some time. I was a fan when I went to see the movie The Last Waltz while still in high school, and that made me love them even more. Robbie Robertson is incredible. Here they are with perhaps their best known song, The Weight.



Richie Havens is best known for his uncanny ability to blend the folk and soul music with his amazing voice and musical agility. His ability to use the rhythm guitar to evoke so much, coupled with his distinctive vocals, set him apart from many. He was the first act to take to the stage at Woodstock, and kicked it off with an amazing performance of Freedom.



Creedence Clearwater Revival were one of the first 'name' bands to sign on to the concert, but not without reservations nor caveats. They did not want to be the focus of the show, nor did they want to participate in the documentary being filmed. And their set started at 3AM. It was later said to be an issue with front man John Fogerty, and some of the other band members were disappointed with their experience. However, one can't be anything but excited by their performance of Put A Spell On You.



With the unmistakable sound of Grace Slick's voice, the psychedelia of Jefferson Airplane was sure to be a highlight of the weekend. Although Slick was less than excited about the 3AM start time, calling it "morning maniac music", the performance of Somebody To Love does stand the test of time.



While Richie Havens might have opened the show, it was left to Jimi Hendrix to close it out. What could be a more iconic close to the show than to have Hendrix play the Star-Spangled Banner as only he could. But there is the bittersweet side to watching this clip, which also includes the outstanding Purple Haze, as just over a year later in London, a victim of his own excesses. But not before sharing his talent with the world.