Jimi Hendrix
Early Life
He was a guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Jimmy Hendrix was born as "Johnny Allen Hendrix" on November 27, 1942 in Seattle, Washington. Learning guitar as a teenager, Jimi grew up to be a guitar legend.
Army
At 17 years of age, he dropped out of Garfield High School to join the army to avoid a jail sentence for riding in stolen cars. He had to chose between spending two years in prison or join the army instead. Hendrix completed training and was assigned 101st Airborne Division and was posted in Kentucky.
Career Breakthrough
In the mid 1966, Hendrix met Chas Chandler who became his manager. Chandler convinced Hendrix to go to London where he joined Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell to creater The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Members of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who and Eric Clapton were all admires of Hendrix's work. 1967, the bands first single "Hey Joe" was an instant smash followed by "Purple Haze".
Band of Gypsys
In 1967 the band, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, broke apart due to a contractual dispute between Jimi and his producer, Ed Chaplin, in 1965. Hendrix then chose to record a live album, the Band of Gypsys.
Tragic Death
Hendrix died on September 18, 1970 from dru-realated complications. While he was only 27 years old, Hendrix left his mark on the world of rock music and remains popuar to this day. As one journalist wrote "Jimi Hendrix could get more out of an electric uitar than anyone else. He was the ultimate guitar player."