Few acts leave a lasting imprint on the industry the way thatJimi Hendrixdid. Far more than just a guitarist, he is one of the most influential figures to touch the world of music, disintegrating the confines of genre to blend rock with psychedelia, blues, and soul. His aversion to the status quo and affinity for rebellion lit the world on fire, and remnants of his bravery can still be found in the emerging artists of today. Jimi Hendrix revolutionized rock music and lived in unwavering devotion to his authenticity, no matter how uncomfortable it made everyone else, cementing him as a counter-cultural icon.
55 years ago today, however, Hendrix’s fortified legacy was tragically cut short. On September 18, 1970, at the young age of 27, Hendrix passed away at the hands of drug abuse. Here’s a closer look at the incomparable legacy he built brick by brick, the historic final performance he gave just days before his death, and how his impact continues to live on.
Jimi Hendrix’s Legacy
Born on November 27, 1942, in Seattle, Washington, a young Jimi Hendrix navigated the world expressing himself as a completely self-taught guitarist on a makeshift one-string instrument before going on to acquire his first real guitar at 15. This only makes sense, given how unique his approach to music has always been. He’s never followed rules or rigid outlines, letting the music pour out of his soul instead.
During the early-to-mid 1960s, Hendrix worked as a sideman for major names like Little Richard, the Isley Brothers, andTina Turner, touring the so-called “Chitlin’ Circuit” across the south. This experience not only taught him about what it means to be an artist, but also gave him room to explore his musical edges. His technical skill developed right alongside his magnetic stage presence. He was never shy about stage antics, which only helped catapult his eventual solo career.
By 1966, Hendrix moved to New York City, playing small clubs in Harlem and Greenwich Village while developing his own name. Word of his shining light soon spread, putting more and more eyes on him until he was eventually recognized by former Animals bassist, Chas Chandler. Recognizing Hendrix’s undeniable star power and potential, Chandler invited him to London, where he formed the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Within months, Hendrix went from playing small clubs to headlining major venues, becoming a global sensation. The first musician to use stereophonic phasing effects in recordings, it was Hendrix’s bold desire to do what’s never been done before, that pushed him far beyond his peers. From “Purple Haze” to “The Wind Cries Mary,” Hendrix’s music encapsulated a free and funky era. He was the voice of his time.
Jimi Hendrix’s Tragic Passing
Boasting accolades and singlehandedly rewriting the rules of rock, Jimi Hendrix was just getting started and had a long career ahead of him with only more to discover and become. Yet, life had other plans. On September 18, 1970, shortly after opening his Electric Lady Studios in New York, the world was shocked to discover that Hendrix was found unresponsive in London. His death was ruled as a result of barbiturate intoxication, having asphyxiated on his own vomit after reportedly taking a large quantity of pills. The world mourned one of the industry’s most promising, blooming creatives, who was seemingly just getting started. This death forms part of the infamous “27 Club,” an unofficial list consisting of influential artists who tragically passed away at age 27, includingAmy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, andJanis Joplin.
Just twelve days before his passing, Hendrix’s final official concert performance took place at the Open Air Love & Peace Festival in Fehmarn, West Germany. The experience can be relived viaLive at the Isle of Fehmarn, Hendrix’s posthumous live album released in 2005. Documenting this electrifying set, he performed classics like “Purple Haze,” “Hey Joe,” and “Foxey Lady” to a crowd completely in awe yet utterly unaware that they were witnessing a legend perform for the very last time. The innovator was posthumously inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, proving that far beyond his time on earth, his legacy will only continue to live on.
