Jimi Hendrix died 50 years ago today.

[Darth Vater]

So sad. The Jimi Hendrix Experience was probably the biggest influence on me as a young drummer. RIP Sir.

 

[C.M. Jones]

In my formative years as a drummer, I recall with perfect clarity practicing to songs such as "Manic Depression," "Fire," and "The Wind Cries Mary." Thanks, Jimmy, for giving us an impressive catalog of groundbreaking music. You're forever molded in my mind as a maestro.

 

[Al Strange]

Wow! 50 years?! Where does it go? Jimi was a one off, the giant on whose shoulders the world of rock guitar stands...the hero of heroes.

 

[paradiddle pete]

 

[paradiddle pete]

 

[dale w miller]

I always wonder what legends like Jimi would have been like when they got older if they didn’t pass so young. Would they’ve become more mainstream, experimental, or fallen into the shadows? We’ve seen it all.

 

[felonious69]

His skill and relationship with the guitar were intense and eerie. He made it look effortless.
Changed guitar forever.
Band Of Gypsies is one of my all time favorite albums. Something for VERY LOUD using the "ear goggles".
I was 5 at the time, so I'm (almost) WAYOver50guy...

 

[felonious69]

I wonder how young he started playing.

 

[felonious69]

 

[felonious69]

On the downside...

 

[MrInsanePolack]

For those who didnt know, Jimi was in the army too.

 

[moodman]

I was lucky to see the Experience in '69, in Indy. One long set that ended oddly.
I'd never heard of the opening band, Chicago Transit Authority, so that was a real treat.
While Mitch soloed, Noel and Jimi went behind their amp stacks and snorted a bit, not uncommon on stages then.
The crowd around the stage kept yelling for his hits, and Jimi said he just wanted to play blues. (one a-hole kept flashing a camera flash in his eyes)
at some point Jimi held his hand up in the 'Peace' sign, then changed it to the 'finger', dropped his Strat, screaming with feedback and walked off.

Jimi's music and Mitch's drumming lifted rock drumming a notch, Fire, Manic Depression and the like sent us cover band drummers to the woodshed.

 

[C.M. Jones]

I wonder how young he started playing.
View attachment 96119

Hendrix started playing around age 15, late by some standards. His immense talent atoned for lost time.

 

[GetAgrippa]

Wow guess I was 15 when he passed- odd I thought I was older ( I was drinking and smoking -hanging with older crowd I remember). Which now dates starting those habits younger than I remember too. I thought I was older?? Dang I was incorrigible lil delinquent.

 

[MrInsanePolack]

Hendrix started playing around age 15, late by some standards. His immense talent atoned for lost time.

Here's how it all went down, though this says he was younger:

 

[C.M. Jones]

Here's how it all went down, though this says he was younger:

Yet another example of how marketing twists reality to pimp sugary products.

As the real narrative goes, Jimi's dad got a saxophone for himself and a guitar for Jimi when the latter was about fifteen. Financial problems made keeping both instruments impossible. Recognizing Jimi's talent, dad sold the sax so son could retain the guitar. That might have been the best decision in the history of fatherhood.

 

[MrInsanePolack]

Yet another example of how marketing twists reality to pimp sugary products.

If it's good enough for Jimi...

Pepsi seems to like musicians. Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Madonna, Beyonce, Pink, Britney Spears, David Bowie, Kanye West, I'm sure there are more.

 

[opentune]

Great pic, why does the Premier floor tom have a black head? pretty sure those weren't produced then.

View attachment 96115

 

[felonious69]

Here's how it all went down, though this says he was younger:

They should have revived that for this anniversary.

 

[slhanks04]

For those who didnt know, Jimi was in the army too.

View attachment 96136

Yep, Jimi was a paratrooper.