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, he convinced Hendrix to come to England.

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.

Foxey Lady – Miami Pop Festival 1968

The song first appeared on The Experience’s 1967 debut album “Are You Experienced” and was later issued as their third single in the U.S

As one of Hendrix’s best-known songs it was frequently performed in concerts throughout his career.

Purple Haze – Atlanta International Pop Festival 1969

Less than two years after the Beat Club TV appearance, Hendrix revisited the song with a more vibrant and electric performance.

freedom

Freedom – Atlanta International Pop Festival 1969

“Incorporating several musical styles, the song was often regarded as one of the most fully realized pieces Hendrix wrote and recorded in the months before his death.

He recorded the song in mid-1970 with backing by drummer Mitch Mitchell drummer and bassist Billy Cox, along with additional musicians.

“Freedom” was released as Hendrix’s first posthumous single.

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.

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 performances. But given that Woodstock happened when the U.S. was engaged in a highly unpopular war (Vietnam) countless others felt this version, with chaotic guitar screams and blasts, was iconic.

All Along The Watchtower – Isle Of Wright 1970

Jimi performed at the Isle of Wright Festival in the early hours of August 31^st. Even though the Experience had bitten the dust Mitchell was on drums. Army buddy 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 18^th, 1970, at the age of 27.

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