Music. It offers an escape and a universal connection among the world through all barriers. Language, sexual orientations, skin colors, religion, all of these things are irrelevant in the love of music. One of the most influential and talented guitarist of who deserves mention is Jimi Hendrix. Though Jimi succumbed to the overdose of barbiturates, his musical genius was one that is unmatched as he is arguably the best musician known the rock and roll community. Though his life seemed a little out of the ordinary, those who were closest to him loved Jimi. Who knew that a young boy in the kitchen breaking brooms, pretending to play the air guitar would turn into a huge contributor to the music community. Even to this day Jimi Hendrix unfinished mix tapes are still being released as if his soul and memory still live on from beyond the grave.
Jimi Hendrix, originally born Johnny Allen Hendrix was born on November 27th, 1942 in Seattle, Washington (Bio 1). Shortly after Jimi was born his mother and father, James Allen Ross Hendrix and Lucille Jeter, changed his name to James Marshall Hendrix in honor of some of his late family members (Bio 1). Jimi had quite a rough childhood. He was one of the five children his parents conceived together. Jimi’s father Al was absent for the first few years of his life while away on military duty. He was unable to come home due to being denied military leave to see his newborn son (A&E 2). Jimi’s mother Lucille was far more memorized with the nightlife and often left Jimi and his siblings in the care of family members while going on multiple escapades. During this time, Jimi became withdrawn and quiet but later revealed that he was being sexually abused by one of his mother’s many boyfriends. As Jimi got older, his interest in music spiked. He started pretending to play the air guitar using a broom. Later he acquired a ukulele and began to teach himself how to play and read music. When Jimi was fifteen years of age, he began to teach himself Guitar and from then on he never looked back. Later, Chas Chandler, his manager, discovered Jimi playing in a small local bar in Seattle, Washington in 1965. From that moment on Jimi's career took off. Mr. Chandler described Jimi Hendrix as “Having it all. He was a force to be reckoned with. You just sat in awe and wondered how this quiet individual could have the whole package (A&E 3).” In 1967, Jimi put out his first two Albums “Are you experienced” and “Axis: Bold As Love”.
Shortly after the release of these albums, Jimi’s life began to spiral out of control. Billy Cox Jimi’s bass guitarist recollected memories of Jimi in his last days. “We’d go into the studio around eight o’clock in the evening and a lot of times we didn’t come out until noon the next day. When we came out of the studio, he’d have his guitar, I’d have my bass.” Mr. Cox also continued on about a Corvette that Mr. Hendrix use to drive. “ The Corvette was a two-seater. So we take off, and my face is hanging out the window, along with one of my legs, and Jimi’s got his guitar in the back. We’re goin’ through traffic, and I’m sayin, “Oh, lord, you gon’ run into somebody!” (Rock and Roll 1) It was clear to many of Jimi’s band mates that Jimi had a deep addiction to drugs and alcohol, and many times would act out violently including towards many of his girlfriends and band mates. It was this demon that would end Jimi’s life. On September 18th, 1970, Jimi Hendrix was found dead in London in his hotel room at the Samarkand Hotel. He was just 27 years old at the time. Many around him reported that he was not only extremely exhausted in the days leading up to his death but On September 18th, 1970, Jimi Hendrix was found dead in London in his hotel room at the Samarkand Hotel. He was just 27 years old at the time. Many around him reported that he was not only extremely exhausted in the days leading up to his death but that he also had
