HENDRIX, JIMI

(c) Rex Photos

Homebase: Seattle, WA / NYC, NY / London, England.
Stats: (1942-1970)
Misc Notes: During his prime years of music-making and recording, Jimi Hendrix cut discs that were credited to his bands: the Jimi Hendrix Experience and the Band of Gypsies. Please see our discography listed under those names for info on such recordings. Hendrix's massive success also caused his records to be issued in almost countless variations in numerous nations across the globe, and space and time considerations preclude us from documenting all of those. One of Hendrix's boyhood bands - Thomas and his Tomcats (as seen here with Hendrix in 1960) - did release a 45 for Seattle's NOLTA label, but it was issued a few months after he'd left town (in May 1961) and it featured a different guitarist. In addition, as a young traveling musician Hendrix also cut some early recordings with various American Soul & R&B combos that did not credit his contributions and we will not be listing those, but among those with confirmed Hendrix participation are these:

"Testify (Part I)" / "Testify (Part II)," Isley Brothers (T-Neck # 45-501, March 1964)
"Mercy Mercy," Don Covay & The Goodtimers (Rosemart Records # 45-801, May 1964)
"I Don't Know What You've Got But It's Got Me - Part 1" / "I Don't Know What You've Got But It's Got Me - Part 2," Little Richard (Vee-Jay Records # VJ-698)
“My Diary" / "Utee," Rosa Lee Brooks (Revis Records # 1013, Spring 1965)
"Help Me - Part 1" / "Help Me - Part 2," Ray Sharpe with the KIng Curtis Orchestra (Atco Records # 45-6402, January 1966)

"JIMI HENDRIX (1942-1970)"
by Peter Blecha [Courtesy and copyright, 2011, the author & HistoryLink.org]

Thomas and his Tomcats ca. 1961 / Seattle

Jimi Hendrix -- the single most famous musician to ever emerge from the Pacific Northwest’s music scene -- rose from extremely humble beginnings to establish himself as perhaps the most gifted and inventive guitarist of all time, one who would be globally recognized as a major force in twentieth-century music. Born and raised in Seattle, Hendrix absorbed the region's distinct rockin' R&B aesthetic of the "Louie Louie" era, learned to play guitar, and performed in a series of at least three teenaged dance combos between 1959 and 1961.

Pfc Jimmy Hendrix at Fort Campbell, 1961

After a couple minor brushes with the law, Hendrix joined the U.S. Army in 1961, and upon discharge in 1962 formed an R&B band in Nashville, and then toured the "chitlin' circuit" of African-American-oriented nightclubs. By 1964 Hendrix had made his way to New York where he was discovered by elite British rockers. Flown to London in September 1966, his new band, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, was a literal over-night sensation. In 1967 they slayed the Monterey Pop Festival’s crowds, within months became a top concert draw, and their albums were instant psychedelic rock 'n' roll classics. In 1969 Hendrix headlined the legendary Woodstock festival. In 1970 the magnificent young musician died in his sleep. [READ MORE...]