I have never understood why Jimi Hendrix was and is more revered by white people than black people? He was such a phenomenal musician. Not just a great guitarist, which is often the reference given him, but I think he was an equally good songwriter. The Wind Cries Mary, Burning of the Midnight Lamp, Stone Free and Fire, just to name a few incredible songs that made him a legend in pantheon of rock music. Maybe it is just that he was a rock musician and that was not as popular in the black community? Though, I would have thought his presence in this genre would have brought more people from the black community into rock music, or at the very least become fans of Hendrix. Jimi Hendrix got a lot of criticism for not being more of an activist for civil rights and maybe that hurt his credibility with the black community? It was a very different time, the civil rights bill was not signed until 1968, so activism for civil rights was very strong at that time and was almost expected of black celebrities (O.J. Simpson had the criticism aimed at him). I think Hendrix was very misunderstood in this area. Jimi Hendrix was a gentle and quiet soul and outward activism was just not his thing. I think he had more of a let’s all just get along mentality. He was a very laid-back guy and I have never heard anyone ever say a bad thing about him, by all accounts he was a very nice person. His band line-up was himself and two white guys, Noel Redding (bass) and Mitch Mitchell (drums). Hendrix got accused of being a sell-out. That, having two white guys in his band was his way of being accepted by whites in the rock genre. Like many media stories of this era, it just wasn’t true. He had signed with manager Chas Chandler in England and they put a band together around Hendrix. Hendrix liked Redding’s blues knowledge, though, (it was rumored that Hendrix would go into the studio by himself and redo the bass parts himself), he also had a rock background that fit what they were doing musically. Mitch Mitchell was a great drummer (check out his drumming on Fire) with a jazz background and Hendrix was always musically progressive. Later in his career, Hendrix did play with the great Buddy Miles (drums), but I do not think he did it out of pressure to be more “black”, again I think he was exploring another musical direction.
Let’s just look at the music, because that is what Jimi Hendrix was all about. His first record was “Are You Experienced” and was a real, “wow! moment”, in rock music. He really changed the way the electric guitar was viewed and approached by musicians. His playing and sounds were revolutionary. As great as his playing was, I am going to focus on the songs and their quality as compositions.. “Purple Haze” really became his title song that he was known for, but this record is full of great songs. “Manic Depression” has such a cool grove to it. “Hey Joe” was his first big hit which was another talent of Hendrix…covering tunes. It is very difficult to cover someone else’s song and give your own spin on it. Hendrix had the musical ability to cover a song and make it THE definitive version, even over the original version. No one ever refers to the earlier versions of “Hey Joe”, only the Hendrix version is ever thought of. “The Wind Cries Mary” what a gorgeous song. His lyrics are often over-looked by his guitar playing prowess, but, the opening lines; “after all the jacks are in their boxes and the clowns have all gone to bed, you can hear happiness staggering on down the street, footprints dressed in red, and the wind whispers Mary”. Great stuff. Beautiful song. “Fire” what a great rocker. Just a smoking’ track. “Foxey Lady” and “Stone Free” are iconic records. Check them out!
His next record “Axis Bold as Love” was a bit more experimental and maybe considered the least of his three records…the second record is always the hardest, the old saying is “you have your whole life to write your first record and six months to write your second. But, this record produced some great songs and one of his most iconic, to guitarists, “Little Wing”. Also “Castles Made of Sand” a song that really showed his range as a songwriter. “If 6 Was 9”, “You Got Me Floatin”, “Bold as Love” all good tunes.
His third and last record, “Electric Ladyland” was a great record also. “Crosstown Traffic”, “Voodoo Chile”, “Long Hot Summer”, “Come On”, the underrated “1983”, the iconic “Voodoo Child” all great, great, songs. “Burning of the Midnight Lamp” is a song that showed what he we would have got from him in the future, I love this song. His death has been shrouded with mystery, but at this point the only thing that matters is the music he left behind and what might have been had he lived. His career was only a short four years and three records, but his impact was enormous.
My hope is that, going forward, we can just all get along and be more accepting of of our differences as well as our common interests. I will urge anyone who is not familiar with Jimi Hendrix‘s music to listen to his entire catalog of music and try to appreciate one of our great american music legends. A great guitarist and an equally great songwriter. Enjoy.
FYI, I would suggest that you listen to his studio recordings before listening to his live performances which are all over youtube. He was an innovator and perfectionist in the studio. They are great recordings.