Jimi Hendrix Biography

At 16, he was thrown out of school class. He played rock'n'roll in teenage bands.

At 17, he voluntarily joined the army as a para- trooper.After 14 months he was discharged (he suffered an injury).

At 18 and some months, he decided to enter the music world.

The next 4 years he toured in the States (was playing back-up guitar for some R&B bands including Little Richard, Ike and Tina Turner, Wilson Pickett, the Isley Brothers).

It did not like it so much so he went to New York's Greenwich Village (recorded with the Isley Brothers, Curtis Knight).

1956: Formed his first band "Jimmy James and the Blue Flames". Chas Chandler was so impressed after hearing Jimi that he wanted to become his mamager and persuaded Jimi to go to England with him.

In the late 1966, England was ruled by bands such as The Who, The Beatles and Cream (with Eric Clapton), Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience was formed with Noel Redding (bass) and Mitch Mitchell (drums).

A series of singles followed. 'Hey Joe', 'Purple Haze' and 'The Wind Cries Mary '. They made Jimi a star in England, setting the stage for his Monterey appearance where he gave an incredible performance (at the end of it he hold his burning guitar above his head).He became immediatly an American celebrity.

1967: It was his big year : 4 singles, 2 albums in the British charts; 2 albums on the American charts.

His violent temperament and his mood made him napproachable even to his closest friends and he felt very lonely. In 1968, he destroyed totally a hotel room in Sweden and was jailed for it.

1968: He produced some records such as "Are You Experienced?" and "Axis: Bold As Love". "Electric Ladyland was released too : it contained the hit "All Along the Watchtower".

1969: The Experience split up.

1969/1970: Formed a short-lived group (with Buddy miles and Billy Cox). They recorded one album "Band of Gypsies". It was a hit.

August 1970: Returned to England. Played the 3rd Isle of Wight festival.

1970: Jimi toured Europe. Something went wrong during the tour and Billy Cox (bass player)because of a nervous breakdown was flown back to the States

1970, 14 september : the last concert was cancelled. Jimi returned to London.

1970, 15 september : Did not show to a meeting with lawyers. Stay during the night with a girl,Monika Nanneman at her flat in Notting Hill. Wanted to go to the meeting but he showed ut at a flat in Fulham Road. Belonged to Lorraine James.

(was working in the Chelsea Drug Store). She described him as he arrived : "He was obviously high on drugs and he had a lot of cannabis on him. He was in a terrible state, highly nervous".

1970, 16 september: Spent the next day looking for drugs and was obviously "out of his mind".

1970, 17 september:Called his New York Attorney, booked a flight to New York to collect the tapes
for a new record.

1970, 17 september: Jimi Hendrix and Monika Nanneman went home. Had dinner, talked and played music till late in the night. At 3.00 am Jimi has to go out to see some people. She drove him there and then back home. They went to bed at 7.00 am. They took some sleeping pill (she one, him between 8 to 9). When she woke up around 10.20 she noticed vomit on Jimi's nose and mouth. Couldn't wake him up. Called for help and an ambulance too. It arrived about 11.20 a.m. Before arriving at St. Mary Abbot's Hospital
he choked on his own vomit. Was pronounced D.O.A.

A large amount of Seconol was found in Jimi's blood. There was no reason to assume that suicide was the cause of death.

After his death, his final recording 'Voodoo Chile', was released and shot to the Number one position in
the charts.

Since his death, Jimi's father has taken over the Hendrix estate, selling the rights to Jimi's music and setting up foundations in Jimi's name.