When Jimi Hendrix first arrived in London in September 1966, there were few signs of the superstardom that was to follow. He was a relatively unknown guitarist whose name then was Jimmy James, he had just $40 to his name, and was carrying a guitar that had been stolen from Rolling Stone Keith Richards. His talent had been spotted, though, by Chas Chandler, the former bass guitarist with the Animals who was turning to pop music management as his own band broke up.
Life (and Death) before London
Hendrix deserved every moment of the rock music success that was about to come his way, even though it was so sadly short-lived. His mother had died in February 1958 from a ruptured spleen, brought on by a fall. She died alone in the hospital, aged just 32 but already suffering from hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver. Jimi was 15. Twelve years later he would be dead himself, at the age of 27.
It was about the time of his mother's death that Jimi bought his first guitar, for $5. He was so wild in his first gig with a band that he managed to get fired between sets, though he lasted longer with later bands and was playing in Greenwich Village when Chas Chandler spotted him at the Cafe Wha? This was in August 1966, the month the Beatles released Revolver and the Doors recorded their first album. Within weeks, Chandler and Hendrix were landing at London's Heathrow Airport.
When Jimi Met London
It was through Chandler's connections that Jimi Hendrix was soon meeting some of the Gods of the London sixties music scene – and wowing them with his guitar playing. Names like John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton grace these pages. Lennon and McCartney both attended Hendrix's London press launch (funded by Chas Chandler selling two of his bass guitars), and Hendrix was there when Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker played their first concert together as Cream, the world's first supergroup.
Jimi Hendrix Superstar
It wasn't long before Hendrix himself was one of the super-heroes of the London music scene, and his rise to fame is beautifully told in Jimi Hendrix: London. The author, William Saunders, is a poet and brings both the eyes and the prose of a poet to the text. He skilfully creates the London of the time, by deft use of telling detail, like the chance way that Hendrix's own group, the Experience, were brought together. Other moments show the shy man behind the wild man image, and also reveal Hendrix's wide and sometimes surprising tastes, from the music of Elvis Presley to the humour of The Goon Show.
London Music Maps
This is more than just a potted but poetic guide to Hendrix's London years. It is also a rock music guidebook to London, with numerous maps throughout the pages showing exactly where various landmarks can be found. These include the various places in which Hendrix lived, music clubs like the Scotch of St James and Ronnie Scott's, and the homes of people like Ringo Starr and Brian Epstein.
The Author of Jimi Hendrix: London
William Saunders is a journalist and poet who began writing for underground magazines in the late 1970s. One of his early poems was awarded a prize by Pete Brown, who wrote the lyrics for supergroup Cream, and one of Saunders's songs was played on the John Peel Show. His fascination with Jimi Hendrix and London's psychedelic era began through talking to some of the people who were there. He's produced a fascinating account of the Jimi Hendrix London years, and of the music scene of the time. Essential reading for rock music fans.
MusicPlace Books
Jimi Hendrix: London is the latest title in the publishers MusicPlace series of books, linking music and musicians with locations. Other titles so far in the MusicPlace series include Grunge Seattleand Bob Dylan: New York.
Buying Jimi Hendrix: London
Jimi Hendrix: London by William Saunders costs $14.95 in the USA and £12.60 in the UK. It is published by the Roaring Forties Press in their MusicPlace series. More details on the Roaring Forties Press website.
Mike Gerrard - Mike is an award-winning travel writer who has worked for National Geographic, the London Times, and many other clients. ...
