Jimi Hendrix once said “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”  Hendrix was hailed by Rolling Stone as the greatest guitarist of all time, a magical guitarist who enjoyed performing. He was very excited about his present and the future, although he did die at a young age.

Very interestingly, Hendrix did not consider himself a good singer. His vocals were nearly as evocative as his guitar playing. Hendrix mastered “Foxy Lady,” “Purple Haze,” and “Crosstown Traffic.” He also created tender ballads like “Angel,” “Little Wing,” and “The Wind Cries Mary.”

Hendrix was an icon that transcended music. Nobody else from his era wore an afro better than him. Proceeding the decades since his death, pop stars have mimicked his image. For instance, Rick James and Prince. Many other musicians have created tribute albums.

Hendrix was born on November 27th, 1942 in Seattle, Washington. Growing up as a teenager he taught himself how to play the guitar. He learned how to play by listening to blues artist Muddy Waters and BB King. He also learned by listening to rocker artist Chuck Berry and Eddie Cochran. Moving on into high school, Hendrix performed in high school bands. Proceeding high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army and discharged a few years later.

Hendrix played in a few bands before creating his own called Jimmy James and the Blue Flames. The Jimi Hendrix Experience was created. Hendrix became very widely known and popular. Although he was not seen in America until 1967, he was widely known in London’s pop society.

He then became a superstar known everywhere. Hendrix did consider himself more of a musician rather than a star. He concluded that his best music came from studios and clubs. At one point he was pressured to create an all-black group.

Hendrix’s last performance was in August 1970 at the Isle of Wight Festival. A month later he was pronounced dead. The cause of death was inhalation of vomit following barbiturate intoxication. It was not concluded as suicide because evidence pointed to it as being an accident.

Over a dozen books have been written about Hendrix. For example, “’Scuse Me While I Kiss The Sky” and “Room Full of Mirrors.” Paul Allen amassed his cash to fund a modest Jimi Hendrix museum.

Widely recognized as one of the most creative and influential musicians of the 20th century, Jimi Hendrix pioneered the explosive possibilities of the electric guitar. Hendrix’s innovative style of combining fuzz, feedback, and controlled distortion created a new musical form. Because he was unable to read or write music, it is nothing short of remarkable that Jimi Hendrix’s rise in the music took place in just four short years. His musical language continues to influence a host of modern musicians, from George Clinton to Miles Davis, and Steve Vai to Jonny Lang.