Jimi Hendrix’s impact on rock music is undeniable. The name conjures images of a blazing Stratocaster, pyrotechnics on stage, and a sound that redefined rock guitar. His innovative approach to the guitar and his ability to blend genres like blues, rock, and psychedelia cemented his place as a legend.
But even rock royalty have their musical blind spots. Even the most influential artists have their musical preferences.
Here, we’ll unveil the legendary bands that Hendrix, the undisputed master of sonic exploration, just didn’t vibe with. Did their slick image clash with his artistic soul? Was it a clash of musical styles? Let’s unearth the reasons why some of music’s biggest names left Hendrix, well, a little underwhelmed.
Led Zeppelin
Jimi Hendrix wasn’t shy about expressing his opinion on Led Zeppelin, one of rock’s most commercially successful bands. He, along with others, questioned their originality. Zeppelin faced frequent accusations of borrowing heavily from other artists without proper credit.
In fact, Vanilla Fudge drummer Carmine Appice recounted a conversation with Hendrix where he said, “Jimi Hendrix personally told me that he didn’t like Zeppelin because they were like excess baggage and that they stole from everybody.”
However, Hendrix didn’t criticize all aspects of Led Zeppelin. He held John Bonham’s drumming in high regard. Led Zep’s frontman Robert Plant recalled Hendrix approaching Bonzo at a New York club and saying, “You know what you got a foot like a rabbit,” referencing Bonham’s rapid footwork on the drums.
Hendrix also acknowledged Jimmy Page’s talent, calling him “a great guitarist”. Unfortunately, the two guitar giants never had the opportunity to jam together. Page expressed regret for never seeing Hendrix play, stating, “I’m really really upset with myself for never seeing him. I really wanted to hear him.”
Pink Floyd
Hendrix and Pink Floyd might seem like natural musical companions, both pioneering figures in psychedelic rock. However, Hendrix wasn’t initially a fan. In 1967, during a period of shared touring with Pink Floyd, Hendrix expressed frustration with the burgeoning psychedelic scene.
In an interview, he criticized bands relying solely on light shows and distorted sounds, suggesting they weren’t pushing boundaries. He even questioned if Pink Floyd truly embodied psychedelia, saying, “I’ve heard they have beautiful lights but they don’t sound like nothing.” He further emphasized his desire to avoid the “psychedelic” label, especially if it meant being compared to bands he felt were uninspired.
Interestingly, Hendrix’s perspective seemed to shift over time. By 1970, just before his passing, his view on Pink Floyd had evolved. In an interview with Melody Maker, he discussed the direction of his own music, mentioning “druggy music” and “painting pictures of earth and space.”
He then acknowledged Pink Floyd, calling them the “mad scientists of this day and age” and suggesting their music aligned with his own evolving vision It seems Hendrix’s initial skepticism gave way to a newfound appreciation for Pink Floyd’s contribution to the psychedelic landscape.
Jim Morrison (The Doors)
Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison, two icons of the 60s rock scene, had a surprisingly awkward relationship. Their encounters onstage were, to put it mildly, chaotic. The first clash occurred in March 1968 at a New York club called The Scene. Hendrix was jamming with other musicians when a heavily intoxicated Morrison jumped onstage, grabbed the mic, and sputtered inaudibly.
Things escalated further when Morrison, in a bizarre display, simulated a lewd act on Hendrix while he played. Janis Joplin, also present, responded by hitting Morrison with a bottle and drenching him with a drink. The incident culminated in a brawl with all three musicians sprawled on the floor.
Just a month later, in Montreal, Canada, history seemed destined to repeat itself. As Hendrix performed, Morrison attempted to join him onstage, saying, “Hey Jimi! Let me come up and sing and we’ll do the shit together.” Hendrix, unimpressed, politely declined, stating, “That’s okay fella, I can handle it myself.”
Morrison, in a pompous display of his usual arrogance, pressed further, “Do you know who I am? I’m Jim Morrison of the Doors.” Hendrix’s cool response, “Yes, I know who you are and I’m Jimi Hendrix,” perfectly captured the awkward tension of the moment.
The Monkees
By 1967, Jimi Hendrix was a burgeoning rock star in the UK, but a complete unknown in America. The Monkees, on the other hand, were teen idols with a massive American fanbase. This presented a unique opportunity: expose Hendrix to a wider American audience. However, the pairing itself was a strange one.
Hendrix himself was far from enthusiastic. In a scathing interview with Melody Maker, he called The Monkees “dishwater” and expressed his disdain for the band. Ironically, The Monkees were huge fans of Hendrix. Mike Nesmith, a Monkees member, first heard about Hendrix at a dinner with John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Eric Clapton.
Another band member, Micky Dolenz, saw Hendrix perform in New York and was instantly captivated by his guitar skills. Dolenz and his bandmates became even bigger fans after witnessing Hendrix’s electrifying performance at the Monterey Pop Festival.
Despite the mismatch in musical styles and Hendrix’s lack of enthusiasm, the tour went ahead. The opening show in Jacksonville, Florida, was a disaster. The Monkees’ young audience, expecting bubblegum pop, was completely uninterested in Hendrix’s revolutionary rock. Dolenz described the awkward scene in his autobiography, recalling how fans chanted for another Monkee, Davy Jones, as Hendrix tried to perform “Purple Haze”. The tour, destined for failure from the start, was mercifully short-lived.