DOMINIC MATTIOLI - Celebrates the Great Jimi Hendrix

Enjoy this closer look @ Dominic’s homage to Jimi Hendrix, his joyous celebration of a legend in his unique style, bursting with color and energy.

“Hendrix was born in Seattle in 1942, and was raised mainly by his father Al, since his mother struggled with family life.

Already as a child, Jimi was crazy about playing the guitar. Coming from a poor background, he never considered going to college, and joined the army in 1961 instead, a way for young Black men to make a decent living.

But after spending only one year with the paratroopers, Hendrix broke his ankle during a jump and had to be discharged from duty. That's when Hendrix started to accompany different R&B bands. 

He went on tour with the Isley Brothers, Little Richard and many other stars of those days; his turf was the so-called Chitlin' Circuit, an association of African-American dance clubs dotted across the eastern and southern United States. His start in the music business was anything but easy, yet Hendrix got to learn from some of the best and fiercest performers of his time.”

https://www.dw.com/en/jimi-hendrix-still-a-legend-50-years-after-his-death/a-54911395

“British talent scout and music producer Chas Chandler, a former member of The Animals, discovered Hendrix through a performance at the legendary Café Wha?. Eager to make him a star, he flew Hendrix over to the UK, joining him up with drummer Mitch Mitchell and guitarist Noel Redding on bass.”

https://www.dw.com/en/jimi-hendrix-still-a-legend-50-years-after-his-death/a-54911395

“The trio however sounded more like an entire quintet due to the virtuosity of Hendrix's technique and the masterful sounds he managed to produce on his guitar effortlessly. The band became known as the Jimi Hendrix Experience, combining American and British blues styles with R&B and rock. The sound combined hard rock and groovy elements; it was sexy and psychedelic at the same time.

The trio caused a sensation in the UK, with everyone from the Beatles to the Rolling Stones going out of their way to see them perform live.”

https://www.dw.com/en/jimi-hendrix-still-a-legend-50-years-after-his-death/a-54911395

“The first US tour of the Jimi Hendrix Experience was also a hit. One of Hendrix's greatest performances was his appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. From then on, he was also considered basically a national treasure in his home country. He quickly became the next big superstar, with his sound perfectly matching the era of great upheavals.”

https://www.dw.com/en/jimi-hendrix-still-a-legend-50-years-after-his-death/a-54911395

“Hendrix was a non-conformist in every respect, not only when it came to his songwriting but also his style of guitar playing: Despite being left-handed, he used right-handed guitars, which he simply flipped around and restrung in the opposite direction. He performed blues solos and guitar riffs with a kind of passion and devotion that had never been seen before.

His entire body was united with his music; he would sway his hips, fall on his knees, lie on his back, and play whole entire passages of music with his eyes closed. For effect, he would also pluck the guitar behind his head or using his teeth. "

https://www.dw.com/en/jimi-hendrix-still-a-legend-50-years-after-his-death/a-54911395