Tuesday, September 21, 2021

The Museum of Pop Culture: Jimi Hendrix Into the Wild Blue in Seattle, Washington

Seattle native Jimi Hendrix was 15 when he got his first guitar.  He pursued his passion playing in little-known bands, as a backup musician for Ike and Tina Turner, The Isley Brothers, Little Richard, and others.  He met other top musicians and his aspirations continued to grow.

A trip to Europe and touring produced three hit songs in England.  Into the Wild Blue Exhibit shows Jimi Hendrix's near-constant travel through Europe and the US from 1966 until his death in 1970.





Hit Songs in England in 1966:
Jimi performed at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival and toured the US.




American Hit Songs in 1967:








The Hendrix Guitar from the
1967 Monterey Pop Festival.

After playing The Troggs' 

America noticed Jimi's
return.




Over the next three years, Jimi Hendrix crisscrossed the Atlantic and became an international Rock Star.  He played with the greats and his musical style continued to evolve.





This Vest was worn on stage
for performances from 
1968 to 1970.













The highlight of Jimi Hendrix's
1969 Woodstock performance

It's been described as revolutionary,
improvisational, disrespectful & 
musical violence.







Photo from Reddit

This song has been discussed and analyzed throughout the years.  Associate Professor of Musicology, University of Michigan's Mark Clague's conclusion is that this particular version of the Star Spangled Banner expressed the hopes and fears of a conflicted America.


















Jimi Hendrix opened Electric 
Lady Studios on August 26, 1970
in New York City.






He was the first major rock artist to own and operate a music studio.   Jimi recorded a few jam sessions at here and left for England shortly after it was opened to the public.

Tour dates were booked across Europe and then shockingly, the 27 year old musician was found dead in his hotel room on September 17, 1970.  The two witnesses, Monika Danneman and Eric Burdon told contradictory stories of what occurred.  Conspiracy Theories swirled about the untimely drug involved death of Jimi Hendrix.

Jimi Hendrix is beloved across the world.  He is interred in Renton, Washington and the Seattle Area celebrates his life and his music with memorials.  

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