Jimi Hendrix Live – From The Beat Club To The Isle Of Wright
Jimi Hendrix, in his brief but legendary career, was a trailblazing guitarist and showman. The clips below chart his career from an early Beat Club TV appearance in London to his last major festival gig on the Isle of Wright… with the Monterey Pop Festival and Woodstock in-between.
The Animals bassist Chas Chandler saw Jimi performing in a New York club, and looking to get into artist management, pitched Jimi on coming to England to become a Rock n’ Roll star… oh and yes, Chandler would arrange a meeting with Eric Clapton – Jimi’s guitar idol at the time.
Purple Haze – Beat Club 1967
Once in London, The Jimi Hendrix Experience. with Noel Redding (bass) and Mitch Mitchell drums). was assembled. Their first single was a cover of “Hey Joe” but it was the second single “Purple Haze” that scored. Note Jimi’s somewhat restrained performance – even so, the magic is there.
Wild Thing – Monterey Pop Festival 1967
The Monterey Pop Festival was Jimi’s breakthrough moment. Among the songs performed was a cover of “Wild Thing,” a hit a few years earlier by The Troggs. Jimi made it his own.
Voodoo Chile – Woodstock 1969
By this time, The Experience was history.
Jimi, on his own trajectory, was slated to close Woodstock on the evening of the third day. But due to scheduling snafus, Jimi didn’t hit the stage until the next morning – when the festival was supposed to be over.
From the Experience’s third and final studio album (“Electric Ladyland”) Jimi uncorked “Voodoo Chile,” to cement his image as a guitar shaman.
Purple Haze – Woodstock 1969
In just two years, Jimi delivered a much more vibrant and explosive version of “Purple Haze.”
Star Spangled Banner – Woodstock 1969
Easily, the most memorable song of Jimi’s Woodstock performance was his sonic blast of the “Star Spangled Banner.”
Many found this version inappropriate and/or a desecration and wanted to ban it (and Jimi) from public performance. But given that Woodstock happened when the U.S. was engaged in a highly unpopular war (Vietnam) countless others felt this version was iconic.
All Along The Watchtower – Isle Of Wright 1970
Jimi performed at the Isle of Wright Festival in the early hours of August 31st. Even though the Experience had bitten the dust Mitchell was on drums. Billy Cox played bass.
Despite technical challenges Jimi performed a cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along The Watchtower,” Jimi’s only Top 20 pop hit.
Less than three weeks following the Isle of Wright show Jimi died in London from drug-related complications on September 18th, 1970, at the age of 27.
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