Jimi Hendrix died 40 years ago today, anyone have any thoughts?

[TTG]

A major pioneer of the rock guitar. Died in London 40 years ago today in 1970.

Last ever gig. Would you believe he was booed when entering the stage....the crowd were annoyed at the weather and having to wait. He soon shut them up!

http://www.youtube.co...VLNrU&feature=related

[Graham-W]

Check out some of his acoustic stuff. I think this was the direction he would have liked to have gone if only his fans would have let him. The showmanship brought him to the public's attention but he was a true bluesman at heart. What he did on the album "Blues" was awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm-MRd52gaw&feature=fvst

[andy-hughes]

I think you are on your own there Doc Spock!

It's not just hendrix's original playing style - and it was original - it was his inovate use of feedback that made him unique, and such a major influence. Add to that the leve of flamboyants howmanship he brought to the table - unheard of before rememebr, and you have a blueprint for electric guitarists that lasts to this day.

Remember, this is a musician who was fired for allegedly upstaging Little Richard in his heyday - and that can't have been easy!

[wolf63]

I have heard of Hendrix I think but not Little Richard. I detest the Beatles and their music too.

[MrJabezClegg]

Play loud and enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bng3agUOYiI

[wolf63]

Not my type of music at all but it is certainly different from any other 1960/70s music that I have heard.

[Lie-in King]

One of the reasons my radio has a mute button...

[Andyvon]

Sorry TTG - I could never see what people liked about Jimi Hendrix other than the persona maybey. His guitar playing just seemed like a noise.

I've always seen Chuck Berry as one of the guitar greats. I saw him at Hammersmith in 1988. No fancy stage or light show, no backing group - just him standing at the front of the stage with a guitar and a mike. That's pure talent. He was entrancing.

[trt]

He didnt do anything for me at all, just a load of screeching noisy notes, and as for setting the guitar on fire, what was that all about?

[TTG]

Some varied comments there...thank's for remembering.

[missnemesis]

I'm not sure I would agree about him being a major pioneer TTG. I think his appeal was more to do with the fact that he was 1) black 2) loud 3) flash & showy thus making him the controversial choice.

IMHO there were much better guitarists around at that time =)

[andy-hughes]

trt - Hendrix's guitar / lighter interfacce was all about making the maximum impact possible - which certainly worked! Remember, this is a musician who played with Little Richard, one of the most electric live peformers ever - and Hendrix learned the value of leaving them talking ... and it stood him in good stead.

missnemesis - of course he was loud black and showy - which is eaxctly why his impact was so immediate and massive. You have to remember the context - no-one else was doing anything remotely like this anywhere until Hendrix came along. Yes, there were a lot of technically gifted players around, but they were quietly earnest - hendrix was not only a brilliantly technical musician, he had the looks, the moves, the impact and the overall package to totally change the way the electric guitar is not only played, but viewed, and on that basis, his impact cannot be underestimated.

[Answerprancer]

Just watching a tribute right now.

RIP Jimi (James Marshall) Hendrix, a great pioneer who will never be forgotten.

I have to confess though, I think of "Withnail And I" whenever I hear Purple Haze.