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MISCONCEPTIONS
1. Jimi was a drug addict.
Jimi rarely used any hard drugs. Jimi only used marijuana, alcohol, cigarettes, and only experimented with LSD a few times.
“If Jimi is to be called a drug addict, then everyone who drinks
alcohol is an alcoholic” (Monika Danneman).
2. “Purple Haze” was written about drugs.
This is completely false. He wrote it about a dream. He
was walking under the sea, surrounded by purple haze. He became
lost and Jesus saved him . The song was originally called “Purple Haze-Jesus saves.”
3. Jimi died of a heroin overdose.
Jimi died of suffocation due to the inhalation of vomit. He had no heroin needle marks-the marks of a heroin user never
leave.
4. Jimi committed suicide.
Jimi took 9 vesperax pills. Several doctors have confirmed that it was not a lethal amount. There were 45 pills in the packet; if he was to commit suicide, he would have taken more than 9.
HIS IMPACT
Jimi Hendrix was without a doubt one of the most original, most inspired artists who ever lived. Jimi felt people did not understand him; Jimi was not granted enough time to alter the skillfully manipulated image which had been thrust upon him by his management.
Jimi was very a very spiritual person. He sometimes
referred to his music as “sky church music,” because he felt
music could unite people by drawing them towards the spiritual
world and God . Jimi was not a missionary though; he was a poet with a mission.
“To this day, Jimi Hendrix is considered one of rock’s
greatest guitarists. His innovations may, in fact, have not been
equaled... Hendrix was a brilliant songwriter, penning one
classic after another. His influence can be felt throughout
rock, from metal to alternative’”(Addicted to Noise).
Jimi Hendrix was the most influential and most imitated
guitarist of rock’n’roll, harnessing distortion and feedback and
adopting a psychedelic image that defined the ‘60’s. As of today, Jimi has three songs in the Hall of Fame: ‘Purple Haze,’’All Along The Watchtower,’ and ‘Voodoo Child’(Slight Return).
“As for radical innovators in the history
of African-American music, the amazing Jimi Hendrix deserves a
unique place. He re-invented the electric guitar, no-one who has
played it since has been unmoved. In a few short years, he had
converted guitar solos mired in the blues and the comparatively
undisciplined rock playing into a domineering, aggressive,
controlling lead sound. His use of devices such as the wah-wah
pedal have virtually prohibited their use except to imitate Jimi
himself, so complete was his dominance. No rock player today
plays without his influence....Hendrix’s was a new idea,
something spiritual that radiated not only over his guitar, but
over all instruments. The new electrifying aggressiveness of
sound stems from Hendrix and concerns not only all guitarists who
follow him. It also concerns, for example, the best electric
pianists in contemporary jazz; it even concerns the horn men who
use electronics--insofar as they use them more imaginatively than
merely for “effect.”(African American Baseline Essay)
Jimi is constantly being rediscovered by new generations.
Over 60% of Hendrix’s fans are 21 or younger. Over 2
million records of Jimi have been sold in each year after his
death. Even today, Jimi still performs. Not live, but by
virtual reality.
“The first time I heard Jimi Hendrix, he made me forget
everyone else. He somehow reinvented every musical sound that
came before him. Nobody in the world has played the guitar like
that since...”(USA Today 94)
There have even been days set in his honor: “Jimi Hendrix,
pioneering guitarist, of the 1960’s...Jimi Hendrix...continues to
be mourned by music lovers everywhere; now, therefore, I, Norman
B. Rice, Mayor of the city of Seattle, do hereby proclaim,
November 27...to be Jimi Hendrix Day...to remember the
contributions he made to modern music.” (Norman Rice)
Email me for more bio-type information; my email address is at the bottom of this page
I understand that many of you want to use this information in research papers. Email me, and I will tell you the proper contact info.
Digital Voodoo- my favorite Jimi link
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