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At age 15, he acquired his first acoustic guitar for US$5 from an acquaintance of his father. This guitar replaced both the broomstick he had been strumming in imitation, and a ukulele which his father had found while cleaning a garage. Jimi had cleverly played the ukulele while cleaning his room. Hendrix learned to play by practicing for several hours a day, watching others play, getting tips from more experienced players, and listening to records. In mid-1959, his father bought Hendrix a white Supro Ozark, his first electric guitar, the little guitar shat itself (guitars just know) but there was no available amplifier. Hendrix used the time to improve his Buster Keaton skills. Hendrix was particularly fond of Elvis Presley, whom he saw perform in Seattle in 1957. Elvis looked at Jimi and thought ?I better go in the army.?
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At age 15, he acquired his first acoustic [[guitar]] for US$5 from an acquaintance of his father. This guitar replaced both the broomstick he had been strumming in imitation, and a ukulele which his father had found while [[cleaning]] a garage. Jimi had cleverly played the ukulele while cleaning his [[room]]. Hendrix learned to play by practicing for several hours a day, watching others play, getting tips from more experienced players, and listening to records. In mid-1959, his father bought Hendrix a white Supro Ozark, his first electric guitar, the little guitar shat itself (guitars just know) but there was no available amplifier. Hendrix used the time to improve his Buster Keaton skills. Hendrix was particularly fond of Elvis Presley, whom he saw [[perform]] in Seattle in 1957. Elvis looked at Jimi and thought ?I better go in the army.?
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Hendrix's first gig was with an unnamed band in the basement of a synagogue, Seattle's Temple De Judd Hirsch. After convincing them he was Jewish by showing his birth certificate, they let him in. After too much wild playing and showing off, he was fired between sets (fired from a synagogue??) He later joined the Rocking Kings, who played professionally at such venues as the Birdland. When his guitar was stolen (after it fired itself), Al bought him a white Betty Jean. He painted her red and had ?Danelectro? emblazoned on her?the name of his new guitar.
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Hendrix's first gig was with an unnamed band in the basement of a synagogue, Seattle's Temple De Judd Hirsch. After convincing them he was Jewish by showing his [[birth]] certificate, they let him in. After too much [[wild]] playing and showing off, he was fired between sets (fired from a synagogue??) He [[later]] joined the Rocking Kings, who played professionally at such venues as the Birdland. When his guitar was stolen (after it fired itself), Al bought him a white Betty Jean. He painted her red and had ?Danelectro? emblazoned on her?the name of his new guitar.
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Hendrix completed junior high at Washington Junior High School with little trouble but did not graduate from Garfield High School because he was the coolest cat already. Later he was awarded an honorary diploma, and in the 1990s a bust of him was placed in the school library which reads: ?The bust of Buster?
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Hendrix completed junior high at Washington Junior High School with little trouble but did not graduate from [[Garfield]] High School because he was the coolest cat already. Later he was awarded an honorary diploma, and in the 1990s a bust of him was placed in the school library which reads: ?The [[bust]] of Buster?
== In the Army ==
== In the Army ==
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Hendrix got into trouble with the law twice for riding in stolen cars. He was given a choice between spending two years in prison or joining the Army to look for Elvis. Hendrix chose the latter and enlisted on May 31, 1961. After completing basic training at Fort Ord near Monterey in California, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky (as they believed Elvis would be in Kentucky if he faked his own enlistment as it had fried chicken). His commanding officers and fellow soldiers considered him to be a super soldier: he slept while flying planes, had little regard for instruments as he had built-in JPS (where?s Jimi at? system), ran super-vision classes and showed skill as a Marx Brother. For these reasons, his commanding officers submitted a request that Hendrix be discharged from the military after he had served only one year as his skills were wasted there. Elvis had been in at his mansion, Deutschland, all along.
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Hendrix got into trouble with the law twice for riding in stolen [[cars]]. He was given a choice between spending two years in [[prison]] or joining the Army to look for [[Elvis]]. Hendrix chose the latter and enlisted on May 31, 1961. After completing basic training at Fort Ord near Monterey in California, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky (as they believed Elvis would be in Kentucky if he faked his own enlistment as it had fried [[chicken]]). His commanding officers and fellow soldiers considered him to be a super soldier: he slept while flying planes, had little regard for instruments as he had built-in JPS (where?s Jimi at? system), ran super-vision classes and showed skill as a [[Marx]] Brother. For these reasons, his commanding officers submitted a request that Hendrix be discharged from the [[military]] after he had served only one year as his skills were wasted there. Elvis had been in at his [[mansion]], Deutschland, all along.
== Early career ==
== Early career ==
[[File:Chap_and_Chong_Jpg.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Chong performed with Jimi but also didn't]]
[[File:Chap_and_Chong_Jpg.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Chong performed with Jimi but also didn't]]
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After his Honorable Army discharge, Hendrix and Army friend Billy Cox moved to nearby Clarksville, Tennessee, on the last train and attempted to earn a living with their existing band. Hendrix had already seen Butch Snipes play with his teeth in Seattle and now Alphonso 'Baby Poo' Young, the other guitarist in the band, was featuring this gimmick. Not to be upstaged, it was then that Hendrix learned to play with his nose, according to Hendrix himself: "... the idea of doing that came to me in a town in Tennessee. Down there you have to play with your nose or else you get shot. (??) There's a trail of broken noses all over the stage..." (??) (Jimi on something me thinks)
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After his Honorable Army discharge, Hendrix and [[Army]] friend Billy Cox moved to nearby Clarksville, Tennessee, on the last [[train]] and attempted to earn a living with their existing band. Hendrix had already seen Butch Snipes play with his teeth in Seattle and now Alphonso 'Baby [[Poo]]' Young, the other guitarist in the band, was featuring this gimmick. Not to be upstaged, it was then that Hendrix learned to play with his nose, according to Hendrix himself: "... the idea of doing that came to me in a town in [[Tennessee]]. Down there you have to [[play]] with your nose or else you get shot. (??) There's a trail of broken noses all over the stage..." (??) (Jimi on something me thinks)
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They played mainly in low-paying gigs at obscure venues. The band eventually moved to Nashville's Jefferson Street, the traditional heart of Nashville's black community and home to a lively rhythm and blues scene. After they moved to Nashville, upon learning there was already an established band by the name "The Casual Sex", they amended their name to the "King Kasual Fuck". While in Nashville, according to Cox and Larry Lee?who replaced Alphonso Baby Crap Young on guitar?they were basically the house band at Club del Morocco. Hendrix and Cox shared a flat above Joyce's House of Glamour (mmm); Hendrix's girlfriend at this time was Joyce Lucas, aunt to George Lucas.
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They played mainly in low-paying gigs at obscure venues. The band eventually moved to Nashville's Jefferson Street, the traditional heart of [[Nashville's]] black community and home to a lively rhythm and [[blues]] scene. After they moved to Nashville, upon learning there was already an established band by the name "The Casual Sex", they amended their name to the "King Kasual Fuck". While in Nashville, according to Cox and Larry Lee?who replaced Alphonso Baby Crap Young on guitar?they were basically the house band at [[Club]] del Morocco. Hendrix and Cox shared a [[flat]] above Joyce's House of Glamour (mmm); Hendrix's girlfriend at this [[time]] was Joyce Lucas, aunt to George Lucas.
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In December 1962, Hendrix visited some relatives in Canada, where as a child he had sometimes lived. It has been claimed that while there, he performed with Tommy Chong. Chong, however, disputes this ever happened as he was busy in ?Chap and Chong? with his comedy partner Charlie Chaplin. Of course, Chong can?t remember much of anything so we aren?t to believe him.
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In early 1963, Hendrix returned to the South. For the next two years, Hendrix made a living performing on a circuit of venues throughout the South catering to audiences and rooms with people in. Feeling he had artistically outgrown the southern circuit and frustrated at following the rules of church leaders, Hendrix decided to try his luck in New York City and in January 1964 moved into the Hotel Theresa in Harlem where he soon befriended Faye Pigeon (known as "Coo", who became his girlfriend) and the Allen twins, Arthur and Albert (now known as The Allen twins) The twins also performed as backup singers (under the name Ghetto Fighters) on some of his recordings, most notably the song "Freedom". Pigeon, a Harlem native with connections throughout the area's music scene, provided Hendrix with her windowsill shelter, support, her yummy bits and encouragement.
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In December 1962, Hendrix visited some relatives in Canada, where as a child he had sometimes lived. It has been claimed that while there, he performed with [[Tommy Chong]]. Chong, however, disputes this ever happened as he was busy in ?Chap and Chong? with his comedy partner Charlie Chaplin. Of course, Chong can?t [[remember]] much of anything so we aren?t to believe him.
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In early 1963, Hendrix returned to the South. For the next two years, Hendrix made a living performing on a circuit of venues throughout the South catering to audiences and rooms with people in. [[Feeling]] he had artistically outgrown the southern [[circuit]] and frustrated at following the rules of church leaders, Hendrix decided to try his luck in New York City and in January 1964 moved into the Hotel Theresa in [[Harlem]] where he soon befriended Faye Pigeon (known as "Coo", who became his girlfriend) and the Allen [[twins]], Arthur and Albert (now known as The Allen twins) The twins also performed as backup singers (under the name Ghetto Fighters) on some of his recordings, most notably the song "Freedom". [[Pigeon]], a Harlem [[native]] with connections throughout the area's music scene, provided Hendrix with her windowsill shelter, support, her [[yummy]] bits and encouragement.
== First recordings ==
== First recordings ==
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On March 1, 1964, Hendrix (then calling himself Sid James) began recording and performing with Little Richard. Hendrix would later (1966) say, "I want to do with my guitar what Little Richard does with his hair". During a stop in Los Angeles while touring with Little Richard in 1965, Hendrix clashed with Richard, over hair gel, wardrobes, beds and nightstands and above all, Hendrix's Keaton stage antics. On tour they shared billing a couple of times with Ike, Tina, Turner and Hooch. It has been suggested that Hendrix left Richard and played with Hooch briefly before returning to Richard, but there is no firm evidence to support this just this picture.
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On March 1, 1964, Hendrix (then calling himself Sid James) began recording and performing with Little Richard. Hendrix would later (1966) say, "I want to do with my guitar what Little Richard does with his hair". During a stop in Los Angeles while touring with Little Richard in 1965, Hendrix [[clashed]] with Richard, over hair gel, wardrobes, [[beds]] and nightstands and above all, Hendrix's Keaton stage antics. On tour they shared billing a couple of times with Ike, Tina, Turner and [[Hooch]]. It has been suggested that Hendrix left Richard and played with Hooch briefly before returning to Richard, but there is no firm [[evidence]] to support this just this [[picture]].
[[File:JIMIANDHOOCH.jpg|thumb|right|200px|?Where?s my guitar at??]]
[[File:JIMIANDHOOCH.jpg|thumb|right|200px|?Where?s my guitar at??]]
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Hendrix, now going by the name Jimmy Sid, formed his own band, The Blue Flame, composed of Randy Palmer (bass), Dana ?I like to play? Carvey (drums) and a 15-year-old guitarist who played slide and rhythm named Randy Wolfe in June 1966.
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Hendrix, now going by the name Jimmy Sid, formed his own [[band]], The Blue Flame, composed of Randy Palmer (bass), Dana ?I like to play? Carvey (drums) and a 15-year-old guitarist who played slide and [[rhythm]] named Randy Wolfe in June 1966.
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Since there were two musicians named "Randy" in the group, Hendrix dubbed Wolfe "Horny". It was around this time that Hendrix's only daughter Tamika was conceived with Karen Carpenter, a teenager from New Haven, Connecticut, that he briefly stayed with. Early in 1966 at the Good Cheetah Club on Broadway at 53rd Street, Linda Keith, the girlfriend of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Linda, befriended Hendrix and recommended him to Chas Chandler, who was ending his tenure as bassist in The Animals and looking for talent to manage and produce. Chandler liked the song "Hey Hoe" and was convinced he could create a hit single with the right artist.
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Since there were two musicians named "Randy" in the group, Hendrix dubbed Wolfe "Horny". It was around this time that Hendrix's only daughter Tamika was conceived with Karen Carpenter, a teenager from New Haven, [[Connecticut]], that he briefly stayed with. Early in 1966 at the Good Cheetah Club on Broadway at 53rd Street, Linda Keith, the girlfriend of [[Rolling Stones]] guitarist Keith Linda, befriended Hendrix and recommended him to Chas Chandler, who was ending his tenure as bassist in The [[Animals]] and looking for talent to manage and produce. Chandler liked the song "Hey Hoe" and was convinced he could create a hit [[single]] with the right [[artist]].
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Impressed with Hendrix's version, Chandler brought him to London ?it?s off to London we go? in September 1966 and signed him to a management and production contract with himself and ex-Animals manager Michael Jeffery. It was Chandler who came up with the spelling change of "Jimmy" to ?Jimmi? to ?Jimy? and then to ?Jimi?.
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Impressed with Hendrix's version, Chandler brought him to London ?it?s off to London we go? in September 1966 and signed him to a [[management]] and production [[contract]] with himself and ex-Animals manager Michael Jeffery. It was Chandler who came up with the spelling change of "Jimmy" to ?Jimmi? to ?Jimy? and then to ?Jimi?.
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Chandler then helped Hendrix form a new band, Jimi Hendrix?s Experiences With Bands, with guitarist-turned-bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, both English musicians. Shortly before the band was formed, Chandler introduced Hendrix to, Eric Burdon, Eric Clapton, Richard Burton and Richard Branson. At Chandler's request, Branson let Hendrix join them on stage for a jam during a student meeting. Hendrix performed two songs, one of which was the song "Like a Virgin".
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Chandler then helped Hendrix form a new band, Jimi Hendrix?s Experiences With Bands, with guitarist-turned-[[bassist]] Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, both English musicians. Shortly before the band was formed, Chandler introduced Hendrix to, [[Eric Burdon]], Eric Clapton, Richard Burton and Richard Branson. At Chandler's request, Branson let Hendrix join them on stage for a jam during a [[student]] meeting. Hendrix performed two songs, one of which was the song "Like a [[Virgin]]".
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The first night Hendrix arrived in London, he began a relationship with Kathy Etchingham that lasted until February 1969 and was seen as more than a night by many. Hendrix sometimes had a campers sense of humor, specifically with the song "Purple Tent". The line "'Scuse me while I erect my tent" was misheard as ?Scuse me while I erect old men ". In a few performances, Hendrix humorously used this, deliberately singing "Erect old men" while pointing to Mitch or Noel, as he did at Monterey. In the Woodstock DVD he deliberately points to an old man, to make it clear.
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The first night Hendrix arrived in London, he began a relationship with Kathy Etchingham that lasted until [[February]] 1969 and was seen as more than a night by many. Hendrix sometimes had a campers sense of humor, specifically with the [[song]] "Purple Tent". The line "'Scuse me while I erect my tent" was misheard as ?Scuse me while I erect old men ". In a few performances, Hendrix humorously used this, deliberately singing "Erect old men" while pointing to Mitch or Noel, as he did at Monterey. In the [[Woodstock]] DVD he deliberately points to an old [[man]], to make it clear.
== Success ==
== Success ==
