Jimi Hendrix’s influence on music was nothing short of revolutionary. As a rock and blues guitarist, he redefined what the electric guitar could do, creating sounds that were unheard of at the time. His talent was so extraordinary that fans often saw him as more than just human. Comedian Bill Hicks once joked, “Hendrix was an alien, okay? His ship landed, they said, ‘Jimi, show ’em how it’s done and we’ll pick you up in twenty-eight years.’”
Hendrix wasn’t just known for his musical genius; his striking looks and wild lifestyle added to his mystique. Despite his reputation as a hard partier, his legacy as the greatest guitarist ever remains unchallenged. While he was admired during his life, it was after his untimely death at 27 that his legend truly soared, leaving fans and fellow musicians in awe.
In the years since his passing on September 18, 1970, countless biographies have tried to unravel the enigma that was Jimi Hendrix. Through these stories, some fascinating facts have come to light about the man behind the music. Here are a few revelations that have emerged over time.
Hendrix Endured Significant Trauma in His Youth
In 1999, Jimi Hendrix’s father, Al Hendrix, published his memoir, My Son, Jimi, aiming to clarify his son’s early life. Al recounts the challenges he and Hendrix’s mother, Lucille, faced before and after Jimi’s birth on November 27, 1942. With Al drafted into the military shortly after the U.S. entered World War II, he was away for much of Hendrix’s early years, leaving Lucille to manage on her own.
Lucille, still a teenager at the time, struggled to care for young Jimi. She worked as a waitress and occasional singer in bars but turned to heavy drinking to cope. When Al returned from the war, their relationship remained unstable. Despite having more children, some of Hendrix’s siblings spent time in foster care. Lucille and Al divorced when Hendrix was about nine, and he moved in with his father. Lucille later developed cirrhosis of the liver and died in 1958 from a ruptured spleen, leaving Hendrix deeply affected at age 16.
Hendrix’s childhood was marred by more than family strife. According to a former girlfriend, Hendrix revealed that he had been assaulted by an unknown man as a child. This traumatic experience haunted him into adulthood, as detailed in Room Full of Mirrors: A Biography of Jimi Hendrix.
He Reportedly Had Two Children
Jimi was known for his rock star lifestyle and numerous romantic entanglements. After his death, it came to light that Hendrix had fathered two children during his years of fame. The first was a daughter named Tamika, born on February 11, 1967, to Hendrix’s ex-girlfriend Diane Carpenter. Carpenter had lived with Hendrix in both Los Angeles and New York in 1966. Prior to Hendrix’s death, Carpenter attempted to get a paternity test and later filed a lawsuit to claim part of Hendrix’s estate. However, the court awarded the estate solely to Hendrix’s father, Al.
Hendrix’s second child was a son named James Henrik Daniel Sundquist, born as a result of a brief encounter while Hendrix was on tour in Sweden in 1969. Although Sundquist was declared Hendrix’s legal child by a Swedish court in 1975, no biological proof of paternity was ever established. In 1995, Rolling Stone reported that Sundquist, who also went by Jimi Hendrix Jr., had made unsuccessful attempts to claim his place as an heir to his father’s estate.
These revelations about Hendrix’s personal life added a complex layer to the legacy of the rock legend. While his public persona was that of a musical icon, his private life included these hidden aspects of fatherhood that only surfaced years after his passing.
Hendrix Left His Tour With The Monkees
Jimi is now celebrated as a key figure of the 1960s counterculture, but back in 1967, he struggled to gain the prominence he and his management felt he deserved. To boost his profile, Hendrix agreed to open for one of the most popular bands of the time: The Monkees.
The Monkees had become a household name with their self-titled TV show, which premiered on NBC in 1966 and quickly became a hit. However, the band was controversial among rock purists, as they were initially a manufactured act with songs written by others. This made the pairing of Hendrix’s provocative, guitar-smashing performances with The Monkees’ family-friendly image a stark contrast. The Monkees’ fanbase included many children, highlighting the mismatch between the two acts.
Initially, it was reported that Hendrix was dismissed from the tour due to complaints from the conservative group “Daughters of the American Revolution”. However, Eyewitness: Jimi Hendrix reveals that this story was a PR fabrication. In reality, Hendrix was unhappy with the tour and decided to quit after just seven shows.
His Exhausting Schedule Led to Depression and Sleeplessness
Jimi Hendrix’s electrifying live performances epitomized youthful energy and vitality, and few fans expected his life to end at just 27. However, behind the scenes, the pressures of fame were taking a significant toll on him, affecting both his physical and mental health.
In addition to his grueling touring schedule, Hendrix was involved in film projects, including the movie Rainbow Bridge in Hawaii. He also struggled with a growing dependence on hard drugs, which made his performances increasingly erratic. Simultaneously, his management pushed him to write and record new material for his fourth studio album and schedule more concerts, adding to his stress.
The mounting pressure, along with legal troubles such as a paternity suit, reportedly led Hendrix into deep depression and sleeplessness. To cope, he turned to alcohol and drugs more heavily, including the sleeping pills that ultimately contributed to his untimely death.
Hendrix Had a Final Creative Surge Before His Death
Despite the pressures and personal struggles that marked his final years, Jimi Hendrix was experiencing a creative resurgence. After a period of relative stagnation following the breakup of The Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1969, Hendrix was back on track creatively. His earlier albums, released in 1967 and 1968, had set high standards, and he was now working to reinvent himself with a new band.
Hendrix formed Band of Gypsys, which toured with him in the latter part of his life. This group released a self-titled live album in 1970, featuring new tracks like “Machine Gun” that had not been previously recorded in the studio. This album, released shortly before his death, offered fans a glimpse into Hendrix’s evolving musical direction and became a significant part of his legacy.
In the wake of Hendrix’s death, his management quickly moved to capitalize on his passing. They compiled and released existing studio material, resulting in two controversial albums: Rainbow Bridge and The Cry of Love, both released in 1971. These albums were intended to maximize the commercial potential of Hendrix’s work but received mixed critical responses.