Jimi+Hendrix

Overview
James Marshall Hendrix was not exactly born in the rock and roll capital of the world, Seattle. By age 25 though, he was all over the music scene in America. Before he began touring though, at age 18 he decided to leave high school without his diploma. “I couldn’t dig that scene anyway,” Jimi Hendrix said referring to the prejudice he experienced. He did not have to worry about school because he was already learning how to master his future profession, the guitar. His Muddy Waters records took him from Nashville, to Harlem, to Greenwich Village, and to London. His natural rhythm-and-blues caught the attention of numerous screaming fans.

Critical Issue
When James reached London he had reached the epiphany of his quest. TIME Magazine stunned said, “There, in 1966, James Marshall Hendrix became Jimi, and his band became an experience.” That is exactly the kind of reaction the Jimi Hendrix demanded. With each strum of the guitar a subtle screeched vibrated everything around you, until it resided and exploded within your ear. TIME Magazine recalled this type of experience as, “He slung the guitar low over swiveling hips, or raised it to pick the strings with his teeth; he thrust it between his legs and did a bump and grind.” Mr. Hendrix not only lured young ladies with these actions, but with lyrics such as “Oh, baby, come one now, sock it to me!” they could not resist. He would then end his hypnotic performance with the wailing of his guitar smashing against the amplifier.

Conclusion/Historical Significance
I want to be respected in the musical field. When people call me a phony, I smash them,” said Jimi Hendrix. Fortunately, Jimi never had to keep this promise. Reviewers and audiences ran to his stage every night to catch a glimpse of this rock legend. He was the groovy artist in the 1960s. Today, James Marshall Hendrix is considered a musical prodigy. His claim to fame: flaming guitars, spontaneous performances, and sex appeal. It did not hurt either that, Jimi Hendrix played the guitar like it was an appendage to his arm, the music became apart of him. His audiences could feel the music being sent into them from his outstretched fingers pointing toward the crowd.

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