 In Seattle on November 27th, 1942, Jimi Hendrix (birth name Johnny Allen Hendrix), the world's greatest guitar player, made his entrance into this world. Four years after his birth his parent’s changed his name to James Marshall Hendrix. Jimi received his first guitar in 1958 at the age of 16. It was a gift from his father who wanted his son to have a hobby that kept him busy and out of trouble. Jimi joined his first band, the Rocking Kings soon after. The Rocking Kings were short-lived and Jimi voluntarily joined the army. He served for a year, but was discharged after he broke his ankle. In 1966, the Jimi Hendrix Experience held its first rehearsal. By 1967 Jimi was labeled the most exciting performer, among other great guitarists. Almost over night, The Jimi Hendrix Experience became one of the most popular acts in rock music. In 1969, the year that forever changed the concept of the rock festival, Jimi Hendrix played the Star Spangled Banner in front of 450,000 people at Woodstock. A year later on September 18, 1970, Jimi Hendrix died in his sleep at the Samark Hotel in London. He had taken some sleeping pills and consumed alcohol, which has been rumored to factor into his early death. He was only 27, the same age as Brian Jones, Jim Morrison, and Janis Joplin. Hendrix's contribution to rock and roll is undeniable and widely recognized. He was anti-war and believed that his music could bring all people together. As the first black psychedelic rock star, Jimi certainly changed the face of rock and roll, interrupting what had been claimed as the white mans domain. He played the electric guitar like no-one else. Like the dozens of other rock and roll stars of his time, Hendrix was into drugs. No one knows for sure if the rumor about his acid use was true. (i.e., Hendrix used to put tabs of acid in his eyelids before a concert). One thing is for certain, if others were impaired by psychedelic drug use, Hendrix was enhanced. His guitar playing remains unmatched and his spirit a legend.
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HipHappy Heros 
