James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970) was an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, Jimi Hendrix is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as "arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music".
Born in Seattle, Washington, Hendrix began playing guitar at the age of 15. In 1961, he enlisted in the US Army and trained as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division; he was granted an honorable discharge the following year. Soon afterward, he moved to Clarksville, Tennessee, and began playing gigs on the chitlin' circuit, earning a place in the Isley Brothers' backing band and later with Little Richard, with whom he continued to work through mid-1965. He then played with Curtis Knight and the Squires before moving to England in late 1966 after being discovered by Linda Keith, who in turn interested bassist Chas Chandler of the Animals in becoming his first manager.
Within months, Hendrix had earned three UK top ten hits with the Jimi Hendrix Experience: "Hey Joe", "Purple Haze", and "The Wind Cries Mary". He achieved fame in the US after his performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, and in 1968 his third and final studio album, Electric Ladyland, reached number one in the US; it was Hendrix's most commercially successful release and his first and only number one album. The world's highest-paid performer, he headlined the Woodstock Festival in 1969 and the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970 before his accidental death from barbiturate-related asphyxia on September 18, 1970, at the age of 27.
Jimi Hendrix was inspired musically by American rock and roll and electric blues. He favored overdriven amplifiers with high volume and gain, and was instrumental in utilizing the previously undesirable sounds caused by guitar amplifier feedback. He helped to popularize the use of a wah-wah pedal in mainstream rock, and was the first artist to use stereophonic phasing effects in music recordings.
Jimi Hendrix onstage at the K.B. Hallen in Copenhagen in September 1970 just a couple of weeks before he sadly passed away.
Jimi Hendix performing at the Christmas on Earth concert at Olympia, London in December 1967
A rather pensive Jimi Hendrix captured in his manager's, Mike Jeffreys, office in 1968
Jimi Hendrix reading 'Blonde on Blonde' by Bob Dylan before performing at the Astoria, London in 1967
Jimi Hendrix onstage giving an energetic and powerful performance in Copenhagen in 1970. Limited edition prints, photos & images for sale.
Iconic shot of Jimi Hendrix, 1969, in his flat on Brook Street, Mayfair, London, during an interview for Melody Maker
Contact sheet of Jimi Hendrix photographed at his London home on Brook Street in 1969
Jimi Hendrix onstage during his legendary performance at the Woburn Music Festival in 1968
The Jimi Hendrix Experience backstage at the Granada Theatre, Tooting, London in April 1967
Jimi Hendrix onstage at the Isle of Wight Festival in August 1970
The Jimi Hendrix Experience performing at the Marquee Club, London in March 1967
The Jimi Hendrix Experience performing at the Woburn Music Festival in July 1968
Jimi Hendrix & Mick Jagger captured together on their first ever meeting at the Top of the Pops studio in May 1967
Jimi Hendrix silkscreen print called 'Purple and Gold which was used as the cover for Jimi's album 'The Ultimate Experience' in 1992.
Iconic Purple Haze portrait of Jimi Hendrix by Gered Mankowitz
Jimi Hendrix whilst on tour with The Walker Brothers in 1967
Alternative version of Gered Mankowitz's famous Jimi Hendrix photograph taken at his Mason's Yard Studio, London in 1967
Famed shot for The Jimi Hendrix Experience's 'Electric Ladyland' gatefold double album cover taken at Karl Ferris's London studio
Limitd edition of Morgan Howell's original painting of the cover of Jimi Hendrix's 'All Along the Watchtower' vinyl single
Alternative version of Gered Mankowitz's classic shot of Jimi Hendrix smoking taken at his Mason's Yard Studio in London, 1967.
Psychedelic Jimi Hendrix portrait taken in London in June 1967. This image was a promotional photograph for the single 'Can You See Me'.
Jimi Hendrix relaxing backstage at the Saville Theatre, London in May 1967
Classic colourised version of Gered Mankowitz's iconic shot of Jimi Hendrix taken in 1967.
Jimi Hendrix on his Cry of Love Tour in Denmark in 1970 before his death later that month.
Jimi Hendrix restrings his guitar before a performance at the Marquee Club, London in March 1967
August 1967, the Jimi Hendrix Experience perform their single 'Burning of the Midnight Lamp' on Top of the Pops in London
This portrait image was illustrated onto The Jimi Hendrix Experience's "Axis Bold As Love" album cover
Alec Byrne photograph of Jimi Hendrix backstage at Saville Theatre. Jimi wears a handmade Nehru jacket made by Mick Jagger's brother Chris
The most famous Jimi Hendrix album cover shot created for 'Are You Experienced' - often regarded as the greatest debut album
Halo portrait of Jimi Hendrix taken during the 'Are You Experienced' photo sessions in London, 1967
Jimi Hendrix shot at Karl Ferris's Hampstead studio in London, 1967
Relaxing backstage at Abbey Road Studios during the recording of debut album 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn'
Exclusive David Bowie print specially created by The Postman for Rockarchive, based on a photograph taken by Dave Hogan at Live Aid in 1985
Underwater photo of Krist Novoselic in a LA swimming pool whilst on a Nirvana publicty shoot
Stunning image of Amy Winehouse taken in a North London launderette during a photo shoot in winter 2004.
Jeff Beck is one of rock’s most respected and dynamic instrumentalists. He is widely regarded as a “guitarist’s guitarist”.
Queen are a British rock band credited with making significant contributions to such genres as hard rock & heavy metal, among others.
David Bowie was a leading figure in popular music for over five decades & regarded by critics & musicians as a true innovator.
Oasis was an English rock music band formed in Manchester in 1991, to date the band has sold over 70 million records worldwide.
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Jill Furmanovsky is one of the greatest ever rock & roll photographers with a huge archive of iconic shots of the world's best music artists
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During his 30 year career Jake Chessum has shot defining images of musicians such as Amy Winehouse, Jay Z, The Beastie Boys & David Bowie.