Jimi Hendrix

Raised on the blues, James Marshall Hendrix exploded onto the international stage in 1967 fronting the Jimi Hendrix Experience trio. The world had seen nothing like him before: a wild-haired, blues-rocking, singer-songwriter whose virtuoso psychedelic guitar style and showmanship captivated audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. Wowing fans and critics alike, Hendrix took blues-rock as the basis for a unique sound filled with amplified distortions, wild feedback and liquid solo riffs. His live performances became legendary, hallmarked with teeth-playing antics and guitar-burning rituals, while his personal life followed an equally fascinating and destructive path. Dead at just 27, Hendrix became the poster boy for the psychedelic era's sex, drugs and rock'n'roll lifestyle. Transforming the landscape of rock music forever, the seminal recordings from his four studio albums broke new ground and his unrivaled southpaw fret-work has influenced successive generations of musicians. Hendrix's music and legacy burn as brightly today as they did 40 years ago.