Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
Truly one of the greatest and most influential guitarists of all time
The word ‘legend’ has become almost trite and is used with casual abandon nowadays. However, Jimi Hendrix is the very definition of the word.
Truly one of the greatest and most influential guitarists of all time, over an unfeasibly short period of time between 1963 and 1970, Jimi Hendrix changed the face of music forever.
More than half a century on from his untimely death aged just 27, his impact on the rock world and beyond remains stronger than ever.
In celebration of the legend that is Jimi Hendrix, Planet Rock takes a look at his life in photos below.
You can also listen to Absolute Radio's special documentary Jimi Hendrix: Snapshots of a Short-lived Star, which aired as part of our Black History Month celebrations, right here:
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos:
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
The first of five children to James 'Al' Allen Hendrix and 17-year-old Lucille Hendrix, Johnny Allen Hendrix was born on 27th November 1942 in Seattle, Washington. When he was four in 1946 – a year after the above photo was taken – Johnny was renamed James 'Jimmy' Marshall Hendrix after his dad and Al's late brother Leon Marshall Hendrix. With Al unable to find steady work after World War II and both parents battling alcohol addiction, the young Jimi Hendrix had a turbulent and sometimes violent upbringing. Alongside his siblings Leon, Joseph, Kathy and Pamela, Hendrix spent a lot of time in and out of foster care; an experience he later admitted deeply affected him. In 1951 Al and Lucille divorced, with Al getting custody of Jimi and Leon.
Muddy Waters
Always displaying a keen interest in guitars, Jimi Hendrix found a ukele when he was helping Al out on a manual labour job in 1957 and quickly learned to play notes from 'Hound Dog' by Elvis Presley. However, it was when the 15-year-old Hendrix paid $5 for an acoustic guitar in 1958 that his playing truly took off, playing along to blues legends like Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf and Robert Johnson, and learning the eponymous theme tune to the TV show Peter Gunn. Pictured is Jimi's icon Muddy Waters.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
Jimi Hendrix formed his first band the Velvetones in his teens and once he'd acquired an electric guitar, he joined a band calling the Rocking Kings. Following military service between 1961 and 1962, Hendrix moved to Clarksville, Tennessee and formed yet another band called the King Kasuals. It was in Tennessee that Hendrix witnessed Raleigh "Butch" Snipes of local band The Sharps perform with his teeth – not to be outdone, Hendrix set about learning Butch's trick. Pictured is Hendrix playing with his teeth in 1967.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
A proficient guitarist, Jimi Hendrix performed with an array of musicians in the early 1960s including Wilson Pickett, Slim Harpo, Sam Cooke, Ike & Tina Turner and Jackie Wilson. Most notably, he joined The Isley Brothers' backing band, the I.B. Specials, and pictured is Hendrix (far left) on stage with them at the Rockland Palace in Harlem, New York City, on 19th June 1964. After recording the single 'Testify' with The Isley Brothers, he left the band in October 1964 after getting tired of performing other peoples' songs night after night.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
Briefly a member of Little Richard's ensemble band, Jimi Hendrix went on to join New York-based R&B band Curtis Knight and the Squires in 1965 and the following year earned his first composer credits for the instrumental tracks 'Hornets Nest' and 'Knock Yourself Out'. Tired of being a sideman, Hendrix relocated to Greenwich Village, New York in 1966 to embrace the blossoming music scene there.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
Previously snubbed by Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham and producer Seymour Stein, Jimi Hendrix's phenomenal talents were spotted by Animals bassist Chas Chandler at Cafe Wha? in Greenwich Village. Chandler invited Hendrix to London in September 1966 and signed him to a management and production contract with himself and ex-Animals manager Michael Jeffery. The rest, they say, is history.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
Manager Chas Chandler persuaded Jimi Hendrix to change his stage name from Jimmy to 'Jimi' in an apparent bid to sound more exotic. Together they soon began forming Hendrix's band The Jimi Hendrix Experience, which alongside the eponymous frontman featured Noel Redding on bass and Mitch Mitchell on drums.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
The Jimi Hendrix Experience's first single, a cover of the rock standard 'Hey Joe', was released in December 1966 and peaked at number six on the UK singles chart. 'Purple Haze' followed in March 1967 and reached number three, while May 1967's 'The Wind Cries Mary' became their third Top 10 single peaking at number six and remaining on the chart for 11 weeks.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
Together with taking the UK charts by storm, Jimi Hendrix was a wild and almost unparalleled talent in the live arena and was winning over fans across Europe with his virtuoso showmanship. Pictured is Jimi on stage in Hamburg in March 1967, two weeks before his infamous show at The Astoria, London where he set his guitar on fire onstage.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
The Jimi Hendrix Experience's debut album 'Are You Experienced' was released in the UK on 12th May 1967, while the North American edition with different artwork and track-listing landed three months later. An instant commercial success, the album sold more than one million copies worldwide in its first seven months of release and peaked at no.2 on the UK album chart having been held off the top spot by The Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.' 53 years after its release, 'Are You Experienced' is rightfully regarded one of the greatest debut albums of all time.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
One of the defining performances of Jimi Hendrix's career was at the Monterey Pop Festival on 18th June 1967. The set culminated with Hendrix setting fire to his guitar and an image taken by a 17-year-old boy named Ed Caraeff has become entrenched in rock n' roll folklore. Rolling Stone later called it "one of rock's most perfect moments." Pictured is the gilt-metal necklace and enamel medallion worn by Hendrix on the day, which went under the hammer in 2005.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
Here's another photo of Jimi Hendrix performing his Fender Stratocaster guitar (prior to its burning) at the Monterey International Pop Music Festival, on 18th June 1967 in Monterey, California.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
The second Jimi Hendrix Experience album 'Axis: Bold as Love' was released on 1st December 1967. The eye-catching artwork featured controversial Hindu religious iconography, and Hendrix voiced his disapproval at it saying it was released without his approval. Featuring the classic songs 'Spanish Castle Magic' and 'Little Wing', the album peaked at no.5 on the UK album chart and in 2020 Rolling Stone Magazine listed it as the 91st greatest album of all time.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
Jimi Hendrix performing at Woburn Pop Festival in Bedfordshire on 6th July 1968. The set included a short cover of The Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.'
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
Jimi Hendrix on stage with The Jimi Hendrix Experience in Germany in summer 1968.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
The Jimi Hendrix Experience's third and final studio album 'Electric Ladyland' was released on 16th October 1968. Featuring classic songs including 'Voodoo Chile' and the cover of Bob Dylan's 'All Along the Watchtower', the album is rightfully regarded as a masterpiece and in 2020 was named the 53rd greatest album of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. The original UK and European edition was adorned with a David Montgomery photograph of 19 naked women lounging against a black background. Pictured is the much tamer US cover.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
Jimi Hendrix with his girlfriend Kathy Etchingham at her Mayfair apartment in January 1969. He briefly moved back into the Brook Street address with Etchingham after a six-month absence. Since 2016, the flat has been part of the Handel & Hendrix museum in London.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
The Jimi Hendrix Experience's Mitch Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix and Noel Redding performing on 'Happening For Lulu' TV Show on 4th January 1969. Hendrix ditched playing 'Hey Joe' midway through in favour of a cover of 'Sunshine of Your Love' in homage to Cream who split the previous year. The Jimi Hendrix Experience themselves disbanded in the summer of '69 after Noel Redding exited in somewhat acrimonious circumstances.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
Jimi Hendrix on stage at London's world-famous Royal Albert Hall on 24th February 1969.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
Allegedly the highest paid rock musician on the planet, Jimi Hendrix was very much the main event when he headlined Woodstock Music and Art Fair in August 1969. Flanked by a temporary band he dubbed Gypsy Suns and Rainbows (which included Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox), Jimi Hendrix took to the stage at 8am on the Monday morning and the 18-song set culminated with 'Hey Joe' and featured his legendary rendition of 'The Star-Spangled Banner.' Undoubtedly, one of the defining moments in rock history.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
Together with bassist Billy Cox and R&B drummer Buddy Miles, Jimi Hendrix formed a new band in autumn 1969. Referred to as the Band of Gypsys, the trio's show at the Fillmore East in New York City on 1st January 1970 was immortalised two months later as the live album 'Band of Gypsys' – it was the only live album released in Jimi Hendrix's lifetime. Before their dissolution, Band of Gypsys' final show took place at Madison Square Garden in New York on 28th January 1970.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
Soon after the Band of Gypsys' very short career ended, Jimi Hendrix embarked on The Cry of Love Tour, which kicked off at The Forum in Inglewood, California in April 1970. Taking in shows on both sides of the Atlantic, the tour included Jimi Hendrix's fabled show at Isle of Wight Festival in the early hours of Monday 31st August 1970. Although beset by technical problems, the performance in front of hundreds of thousands of revellers was a pivotal moment in the festival's history.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
Jimi Hendrix's last ever live show took place at the Love & Peace Festival in Fehmarn, Germany on 6th September 1970 – a week after Isle of Wight Festival.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
Jimi Hendrix was pronounced dead on Friday 18th September 1970 at the age of just 27-years-old. Just before his death, Jimi had not been well - he was fatigued from work, was suffering from a chronic lack of sleep and some sort of influenza-type illness. The coroner returned an open verdict on his death, however he had taken nine sleeping tablets the night before and allegedly died of asphyxia. Jimi Hendrix's grave is at Greenwood Cemetery in Renton near Seattle - the same place is his mother.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
Noel Redding, Kathy Etchingham and Who guitarist Pete Townshend unveiled a blue plaque at Jimi Hendrix's Mayfair home on 14th September 1997.
Jimi Hendrix's life in photos
Depicting Jimi Hendrix throwing an iconic pose and playing a Fender Stratocaster, this life-size Jimi statue is named The Electric Lady Studio Guitar and it's located in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood of Seattle. It's the work of sculptor Daryl Smith. There is also a Jimi Hendrix statue on the Isle of Wight.