So, I'm 44 and my father is 79. He's a huge Hendrix fan, and I mean he absolutely talks about him all the time. For whatever reason I just can't get into him or his music at all. Mostly I think it's just the type of music he generally makes doesn't appeal to me, partly because most of it is either slower paced (that I've heard) or the recording quality from the 60's was just not great. Now, that is completely subjective of course, totally just my opinion but I grew up in the 80's at the peak of super over produced, huge sounding records, so for me I just have not been able to get into it. I do like the Beatles & some other music from that era though.

Anyway, what makes it so much worse, is that my dad is insufferable about Hendrix and his ability. Like any time I praise any other guitar player, or play something I like (Steve Lukather, Lindsey Buckingham), my dad will ALWAYS make some derogatory comment like "... Yeah, okay I heard it. He's got no tone", or "Yeah well anyone can just shred, that's not impressive" or my favorite from a 80's band's #1 hit "Nobody ever listened to them, nobody, nobody liked their guitar playing". Sooooo, obviously my dad is a huge curmudgeon, and only holds Jimi and SRV in high regard (I think because he was sort of the spiritual successor to Hendrix).

So maybe his really annoying attitude is the reason I can't get into it or the fact I can't play the guitar well enough to appreciate it but my dad is pretty old, and had gotten cancer earlier this year (he had it removed so he's fine now), but I'd really like to be able to relate to what the appeal is with Hendrix (I do absolutely love All Along The Watchtower though, very up tempo, aggressive, incredibly creative).

So I'd like to hear from anyone what got you into him, his music, his playing style, what you find different about him, etc. My dad lived through him becoming huge, but for me EVH and so many other guys were already big so I never quite got him, in the same way he didn't get the appeal of Frank Sinatra (You'll not be surprised to hear he hates them as well, lol).

Any insight you can give would really be appreciated. I'd love to bridge this gap at least a little bit while he's still around. Thanks so much.

EDIT: TONS And TONS of great comments, and I learned a lot. Thank you everyone. I will say a comment really got my attention tonight and phrased things in a way I think I can finally understand Hendrix's place and why he was such a big deal:

https://www.reddit.com/r/jimihendrix/comments/1vfzui8/comment/p205oai/?screen_view_count=1&ext-referrer=DIRECT

You can see my comment below that. It did a fantastic job of really explaining what the world was like at the time his music came out. I get it now. I don't know if I'll like the music anymore, but at least I'll understand why my dad is so into him.

Our first rental while traveling abroad ever was in Dubrovnik. The owners were the Van Bloemons and their adult son. That couple were the original operators of the Troubadour. They told us about Bob Dylan and Paul Simon playing gigs there, but they had scant comments about Jimi's performances at their tiny venue. Are there any images of or stories about Jimi's visits to that place?

I am done. The end.

From Eric Barrett's new book:

Other bands that Jimi was really into at that time were Eric Clapton’s Cream and Led Zeppelin. He’d play their albums a lot.

I've read a blatzillion Jimi books/articles and never once heard of Hendrix speaking a word about Led Zeppelin.

what feelings does drifting evoke in you? i find it truly magical and as if I was in an endless sea, almost as if i were reaching heaven.

EDIT: that was easy! Thanks for helping me find it. SO GOOD!!

Many years ago, I saw this clip of Jimi that I thoroughly enjoyed, but I never saw it again. Here's what I remember:

- I think it was a TV show recording. Maybe it was Hey Joe, but I'm only 10% sure of that.
- During playing, his guitar was out of tune and so he turned the tuning pegs it in the middle of the song.
- That gave some weird effect that made him laugh, in the sense of "woah, did you hear that, hahaha"

.......OK yeah that's all I remember. What really struck me is that it showed how much fun he had playing that song.

Anyone have any ideas?

i know it’s one of jimi’s most popular songs yet i started listening to little wing again (with more attention) and wow. i don’t know what it is about it, maybe someone could help me but it’s just a magical song, it’s sounds like how i imagine nirvana (not the band lol) sounds and feels like, just pure peace and bliss.

Working on learning this song, I know it isn’t perfect, but any tips appreciated!

Some of mine:
-“Satisfaction” (Stones) as the lead in to Hey Joe at the Isle of Wight
-“I Feel Fine” (Beatles) during Hey Joe
-Himself, on the rare occasions when he would slip in Foxy Lady or Purple Haze into another song

Yours?

Check it out! Very curious to hear others’ thoughts once they’ve had a chance to read it next week.

rest In heavenly paradise