Jimi Hendrix: An Illustrated Experience
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Hardcover
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Written by Janie Hendrix and John McDermott.
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($45.00)
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Jimi Hendrix: An Illustrated Experience
The electric, bodacious, extraordinary life of Jimi Hendrix as told through
text, rare photographs, removable documents, reproductions of memorabilia,
and a 70-minute audio CD.
Jimi Hendrix: An Illustrated Experience illuminates the life of the musical icon who pioneered a new generation in rock and roll with his explosive electric style. With exclusive access to the private family archives, co-authors Janie Hendrix and John McDermott tell the vibrant and unique story of Jimi's life, from his formative years in hardscrabble Seattle through his short-lived days in the eye of a fanatic and dedicated public, to the aftermath of his sudden death and the wake of his legacy.
An indispensable addition to any music lover's library, the book is a truly interactive experience, featuring reproductions of drawings from Jimi's childhood, his rare handwritten song lyrics, and never-before-seen archival photographs. In addition to 30 interactive features, the book includes a 70-minute audio CD with interviews and commercially unreleased recordings of live convert music and a Record Plant jam session. While listening to Jimi work out musical riffs, while holding pieces of the ephemera that chronicle his life, you will experience Jimi Hendrix the way you were meant to: in full color.
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Dale Brayden thinks this book is Excellent.
Jimi Hendrix: An Illustrated Experience is a wonderful book. It is a large-format Hendrix biography written by John McDermott and Janie Hendrix (Hendrix's younger half-sister). There are little pockets and envelopes inside the book containing realistic reproductions of Hendrix's notes, drawings, and letters. It is a joy to read or just browse this book.
Hendrix knew by age 14 that he wanted to be a guitar player. He worked very hard learning to play well, and talked later about how hard and how frustrating it was. He could hear in his mind the music that he wanted to play, but it took him years to gain the skills that he needed.
He joined the army airborne division. While in the army he met the bassist Billy Cox and they formed a band called the King Kasuals. He was eventually honorably discharged from the army. Years later, after The Experience had effectively broken up, Hendrix asked Cox to join him in the new Band of Gypsies group.
Hendrix worked in utter obscurity for years, barely making enough to feed himself. He was sideman with Joey Dee, Wilson Pickett, the Isley Brothers, Curtis Knight, and, briefly, with Little Richard. Eventually he met Linda Keith (Keith Richards' girlfriend) and, significantly, Chas Chandler, the bassist for The Animals. It was the long collaboration with Chandler that helped Hendrix move into the big-time.
After getting a start in Britain, including the release of his first album, Hendrix made the jump back to the U.S. for a grueling tour - starting with 60 concerts in 60 days. Hendrix and the band would continue to overwork themselves right to the end.
It was just 4 years from Hendrix's meeting Chandler until Hendrix's death by apparent suicide in September 1970. He was 27 years old.
The book includes a CD containing a couple of backstage interviews, live versions of Fire, Red House, and Foxey Lady, and an extended (28 minute!) studio version of Keep on Groovin.