In the ruthless world of rock and roll, critical acclaim isn’t guaranteed, even from your peers. Take Jimi Hendrix, a guitar pioneer who forever reshaped the genre.
Hendrix wasn’t shy about voicing his opinions on fellow musicians, offering both praise and critique. While he undoubtedly admired many artists, a few just couldn’t capture his musical fancy.
Today, we’ll peek behind the curtain and explore three acts that found themselves on the receiving end of Hendrix’s less-than-enthusiastic critique.
Pink Floyd
Jimi Hendrix, a pioneer of psychedelic rock, embodied the era’s trippy sounds and explosive energy. When you think of summer-of-love music, Hendrix’s name is likely to appear high on the list. Pink Floyd, another band known for venturing into the strange and experimental, could also be considered psychedelic. However, Hendrix didn’t quite see it that way.
For Hendrix, true psychedelia wasn’t just about aesthetics. He criticized acts that relied solely on flashy lights and classic rock structures while claiming to be psychedelic. He believed this approach lacked authenticity. Pink Floyd, in Hendrix’s view, fell into this category.
He reportedly commented on their impressive lightshow but added a scathing critique: “I’ve heard they have beautiful lights but they don’t sound like nothing.” This quote highlights the difference in how these two icons viewed psychedelic music.
Led Zeppelin
Hendrix, known for his high standards, wasn’t particularly effusive about Led Zeppelin. While he grudgingly acknowledged Jimmy Page’s guitar skills (a compliment coming from Hendrix), his overall opinion remained lukewarm. In fact, his most scathing comment might be the seeming indifference: Led Zeppelin simply didn’t register highly on his radar.
However, rumors swirled around Hendrix’s true feelings. Drummer Carmine Appice claimed Hendrix confided in him, criticizing Led Zeppelin for borrowing heavily from other artists. Appice quoted Hendrix as saying they were “excess baggage” who “stole from everybody.”
Whether this was Hendrix’s exact sentiment remains unclear, but it suggests a potential frustration with Zeppelin’s originality, or lack thereof, in Hendrix’s eyes.
Jim Morrison / The Doors
Jimi’s critiques of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin stemmed primarily from musical differences. However, his dislike of Jim Morrison, frontman of The Doors, was a more personal matter.
Legend has it that the two crossed paths at a crowded club where they were both scheduled to perform. Morrison, heavily intoxicated, reportedly made obscene gestures and disrupted Hendrix’s set. This disrespectful behavior did not sit well with the guitar icon.
The encounter apparently left a lasting impression. When Morrison attempted to collaborate with Hendrix again, Hendrix shut him down. According to reports, Hendrix simply stated, “That’s okay, fella, I can handle it myself.” This curt dismissal highlights the animosity that festered after their initial encounter.