Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Showing Original Post only (View all)

H2O Man

(73,559 posts)
Thu Sep 18, 2014, 03:38 PM Sep 2014

If 6 Turned Out to be 9 [View all]

Jimi Hendrix died on this date in 1970. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame calls Hendrix “arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music.” A heck of a lot of his music has been released over the years -- far more since his death, than in his brief career -- and I think the sum total of that music shows that he was far more than an extremely talented guitarist.

As the youngest of five kids growing up in the 1960s, I was exposed to Hendrix by way of his debut album, “Are You Experienced?” But it wasn’t until after that I quit boxing -- and the disciplined life that sport demands -- that I really got hooked on him. In my teen years, I began collecting as many of his albums as possible (including some rather low-quality records that he may have played on in the background).

Some of my favorites are found on a 5 LP collection from Germany, of Hendrix playing Motown. His version of “Hang On Sloopy,” for example, is wonderful. The enjoyment he felt in performing those songs comes through. It’s in stark contrast to some of his later work, where the frustrations and pain he experienced is evident.

I have over 70 different Hendrix albums; a good number of CDs (including an outstanding 4 CD box set released a few years back, that a fellow DUer told me about); a few biographies; and a number of DVDs of his concerts.

Thirty years ago, sitting in this very room, I remember my sister-in-law telling me about meeting Jimi. Her (first) husband played in a band that opened for the Experience on a concert tour. She said that she was in the dressing room backstage before the concert, when Hendrix walked in. She stepped back, to get out of his way, and accidentally knocked over his guitar.

I had another friend who told me about joining the US Marines, eager to go defend democracy in Vietnam. By chance, he and a couple friends went to a concert to “beat up hippies” the week before they were to go to Vietnam. The concert was Woodstock. He described finding that he actually liked hippies. Someone shared some LSD with him. He figured it couldn’t be much different than whiskey (surprise, surprise!). He was tripping the morning that Jimi played the Star Spangled Banner, and he said it was then that he knew he did not want to go to Vietnam.

I’m curious what others here remember about Jimi Hendrix?

Thanks,
H2O Man

60 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
If 6 Turned Out to be 9 [View all] H2O Man Sep 2014 OP
My mother was at that same concert that shut down the NY State Thruway, pregnant with me. msanthrope Sep 2014 #1
The live version H2O Man Sep 2014 #2
I bought that boxed set about 30 seconds after the first copy hit the shelf at Tower Records in NYC. msanthrope Sep 2014 #5
I remember my little brother playing Jimi for me on his stereo in Vietnam pinboy3niner Sep 2014 #3
Interesting. H2O Man Sep 2014 #10
Probably for the same reasons that fans at home liked him pinboy3niner Sep 2014 #58
He died before I was born, but 40 years later... tridim Sep 2014 #4
One of my H2O Man Sep 2014 #11
I didn't discover Hendrix until almost a decade after he was gone. iscooterliberally Sep 2014 #6
That's true. H2O Man Sep 2014 #12
I agree with you. I always loved his voice. iscooterliberally Sep 2014 #18
his talking voice was beautiful also JI7 Sep 2014 #20
I loved his voice too, quiet and strong. Dont call me Shirley Sep 2014 #43
One of my favorite not officially issued thucythucy Sep 2014 #7
I have an H2O Man Sep 2014 #31
he was one of those that when he played, something fired in your nervous system. hobbit709 Sep 2014 #8
Well said! H2O Man Sep 2014 #32
I chose Lorraine over Jimi... kentuck Sep 2014 #9
It seems to me H2O Man Sep 2014 #33
I was born in June of the year he died. ScreamingMeemie Sep 2014 #13
the first time I heard Hendrix babydollhead Sep 2014 #14
I have heard H2O Man Sep 2014 #34
If 6 was 9 True Earthling Sep 2014 #15
Coincidentally, just this morning my odometer went to 96000 on the way to work... cascadiance Sep 2014 #21
But what if 6 had turned out to be 9? Zorra Sep 2014 #26
I just got my litter airy permit. H2O Man Sep 2014 #37
My story is short frazzled Sep 2014 #16
Very good! H2O Man Sep 2014 #36
It was widely reported that Jimi Possessed a huge.... busterbrown Sep 2014 #17
yeah - remember that movie dhol82 Sep 2014 #35
Ah, the two H2O Man Sep 2014 #38
A house in Seattle recently sold that claimed he practiced in the basement. nolabear Sep 2014 #19
Well, he was from Seattle and I was living in Seattle at the time. I love his music... Tikki Sep 2014 #22
Love your story and the fabric. What's stopping us from dressing this way now? livetohike Sep 2014 #48
It's kind of amazing because when I showed this post to my husband he said he wouldn't have.... Tikki Sep 2014 #56
You got that Polydor one, ''Loose Ends''? Octafish Sep 2014 #23
The intro to "Hey Joe" was the first really cool lick I learned to play on the guitar. Zorra Sep 2014 #24
I remember Jimi totally changed the direction of music! BobbyBoring Sep 2014 #25
as a guitarist i was awestruck at his first album. still am. spanone Sep 2014 #27
The Brits have the only Hendrix museum BeyondGeography Sep 2014 #28
I was at Woodstock. An overwhelming experience... immoderate Sep 2014 #29
You sat next to Jimi Hendrix to watch NRBQ at Ungano's? tkmorris Sep 2014 #30
Before there was an internet... immoderate Sep 2014 #41
Plugging into electric organ speakers.... RagAss Sep 2014 #39
So much talent from one person in such a short time on the planet. logosoco Sep 2014 #40
loved, loved LOVED Jimi Skittles Sep 2014 #42
The way he's (re)discovered by every generation since his passing azurnoir Sep 2014 #44
I don't mind. Blue_In_AK Sep 2014 #45
Might as well post this. Enthusiast Sep 2014 #46
I always loved these words Blue_In_AK Sep 2014 #51
Me too. It seems like yesterday but it was so long ago. Enthusiast Sep 2014 #60
On this date, I was a Freshman in college at a state university north of Pittsburgh. I was working livetohike Sep 2014 #47
I have a signed Hendrix CD which only cost $700. zappaman Sep 2014 #49
n Jan. 1, 1970 my friend called wilt the stilt Sep 2014 #50
That happened to me, too. Blue_In_AK Sep 2014 #52
Sadly his train left before mine arrived. Glassunion Sep 2014 #53
A funny story for you... ms liberty Sep 2014 #54
Synesthesia kohodog Sep 2014 #55
Jimi and acid was the best. Warren Stupidity Sep 2014 #57
I saw Jimi in Portland, Oregon, two days after my 18th birthday. Fall tour '68 panader0 Sep 2014 #59
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»If 6 Turned Out to be 9