Jimi Hendrix seemed to me, a kind gentle man. A bashful man who didn't even like the sound of his own voice. Unlike most musicians, he never lost sight of his goals. He was constantly looking for new sounds, new ways of changing music, trying to write new songs, and even trying to better the way music is recorded. Through the determination of Jimi Hendrix, we now have much better recording studios, better guitars, and less segregation in the music industry. He was Little Wing, the poet, trapped in a world of violence, drugs, and confusion. I guess for Jimi, his only escape from this madness, was his music. I believe Jimi was the epitome of genius born out of madness, or madness with a touch of genius. He was the Axis, and his music is still Bold as Love...
True greatness is not affected by the passing of time. Jimi's music still sounds as fresh and innovative as it did in the 60s. Jimi Hendrix has a larger following now, than he ever did in the past. To all of those skeptics out there who think, Hendrix wasn't that great, Hendrix never affected my life, or I never liked Hendrix anyway, I would like to say, "Give him a chance." Jimi was probably the most influential guitarist ever. I bet most of your favorite musicians were influenced by Hendrix, and you never even knew. From Sting, Al De Meola, Metallica, Guns & Roses, Pearl Jam, Aerosmith, The Cure, Eric Clapton, Spin Doctors, Buddy Guy, Body Count, Seal, Nigel Kennedy, Pretenders, P.M. Dawn, Belly, Living Colour, to Pat Metheny, all of those bands and people were influenced by Hendrix.
As you can tell, it's NOT just guitarists who are influenced, or even just rock musicians. You have people in the world of classical music, jazz, contemporary, alternative, heavy metal, and even rap who were influenced
by him. Also, for those guitar junkies out there, Jimi DID influence Robin Trower, Frank Zappa, Steve Via, Joe Satriani, David T. Chastain, Ted Nugent, Brian May, Pete Townshend, Jeff Beck, Slash, and Yngwie Malmsteen. None of whom would play / would have played the way they do / did, if Jimi were never born.
For those of you who still insist, Hendrix sucks, I challenge by saying, "When was the last time you listened to Hendrix? Name a song by him! Quote me a few lyrics!" Anyone who can do that, and still doesn't like Hendrix, must be tone deaf. Just listen to his music... It's like a whirlwind of sound. A beautiful melding of verse and energy. As Jimi once said himself, "Music goes by the rules of the present air. Listen passively as my guitar howls and grinds and unwinds and dines upon the spelling of your name..." Jimi is the Voodoo Child to the mother of rock. He can touch your mind, heart, and soul, with compositions like Little Wing, Bold As Love, Castles Made of Sand, Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland), Burning of the Midnight Lamp, Rainy Day, Dream Away 1983.... (A Merman I Should Turn To Be), Moon, Turn the Tides... gently gently away, May This Be Love, Angel, or the awe-inspiring song, The Wind Cries Mary.
If you are a "band-wagon" type of music listener, I would say to you, "Stop listening to singles!!! Turn off Mtv and Shut off the radio!!!" Foxey Lady, Fire, and Purple Haze, are NOT a good representation of Jimi Hendrix. If you think that's what all of his music sounds like, then you need to wake up and smell the coffee. I personally think those songs are some of his worst. (Addendum! I've noticed that some people have commented, in the guest book, that those songs aren't bad. To clear things up, I don't mean they are terrible songs, I mean I'm burnt-out on them. The same is true of Break On Through, by the Doors. They're not bad songs, but radio stations ruin them, by playing them too much. Enough said.) And lastly, for those fans out there who are undecided, I would like to say, "Jimi's music is very unconventional, and does take a bit of time to adjust to. Just keep on listening. The more you listen to his music, the more you will see the genius in it." One of the coolest things about his music, is you will always hear something different. There are always little things popping out at you, things you didn't hear last time you listened. For new Hendrix fans, I would recommend buying Electric Ladyland. It's a superbly diverse album, and definitely one of my all time favorites.
As for Jimi's death, I would like to think he went peacefully in the night, but we all know that's not so. His death was a tragedy, and a great loss to the music world. Will anyone ever be able to play better than Hendrix? Who cares. Music's not a contest. He was a great man, an innovator, and he touched the lives of millions. I don't believe anyone will ever be able to take his place. That would be like someone trying to take the place of Albert Einstein. It's just not going to happen. It was the man himself that made the music so great, so precious, so timeless. Jimi was just so far advanced, that it seems like the music industry is finally just starting to catch up to him. I'm sure the guitarists out there reading this will agree, especially if they've tried to play some of his music. Easier said than done. Jimi was the Mozart of guitar. He will never be forgotten. Rest in peace Jimi.
David Peterson (Webmaster of Gods of Rock)
Copyright 9-11-97
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