EP818 The Jimmy Hendrix Podcast

Here are 10 lesser-known facts about Jimi Hendrix:

1. Left-Handed Strings: Though Hendrix was left-handed, he famously played a right-handed guitar flipped upside down. What’s less known is that he would restring the guitar to suit his playing, a practice that influenced his unique tone and technique.
   
   
2. Military Service: Before his music career took off, Hendrix enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1961. He trained as a paratrooper and was honorably discharged after a year, reportedly due to an ankle injury.
   
   
3. The “Jimi” Name: Hendrix was born Johnny Allen Hendrix but was later renamed James Marshall Hendrix by his father. The stage name “Jimi” was suggested by his manager, Chas Chandler.
   
   
4. Failed Auditions: Before finding fame, Hendrix auditioned for the Isley Brothers and Little Richard’s bands. Though he eventually worked with them, his unconventional playing style initially made him seem a poor fit.
   
   
5. Obsessed with Sci-Fi: Hendrix was a huge science fiction fan. His song “Third Stone from the Sun” reflects his interest in space and alien life. He also cited writers like H.G. Wells as inspirations.
   
   
6. Struggled with Vocals: Early in his career, Hendrix was insecure about his singing voice and had to be convinced by Chas Chandler to become a vocalist. He even asked for his voice to be mixed lower on early recordings.
   
   
7. Custom Guitar Designs: Hendrix sketched designs for his ideal guitar, but none of these were manufactured during his lifetime. He wanted a left-handed guitar with specific technical adjustments.
   
   
8. Plays Behind His Back: While it's widely known that Hendrix could play with his teeth, fewer people know he could also play the guitar behind his back and even between his legs—a spectacle he used to wow audiences.
   
   
9. Lost Music Recordings: Hendrix often carried around a reel-to-reel recorder to capture ideas. Many of these recordings were lost or misplaced, leaving potentially revolutionary riffs unheard.
   
   
10. Final Song Recorded: One of the last songs Hendrix worked on before his death was "Belly Button Window," an introspective track about birth and existence. Its haunting lyrics and sparse arrangement make it a poignant end to his recording legacy.
    
    

 

Here are 10 truly obscure and intriguing facts about Jimi Hendrix that could spark fascinating podcast discussions:

1. He Couldn’t Read Music: Despite his legendary status, Hendrix never learned to read sheet music. He relied entirely on his ear and intuition, making his compositions even more remarkable.
   
   
2. He Was Once Kidnapped: In 1969, Hendrix was allegedly kidnapped by a group of gangsters in New York City. They held him hostage for several days, demanding ransom from his management. He was eventually rescued by his team, though the details remain murky.

The story of Jimi Hendrix's alleged kidnapping in 1969 is one of the more mysterious and lesser-known incidents in his life. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s known and speculated:

The Incident

• Time and Place: The kidnapping reportedly occurred in 1969 in New York City, during a tumultuous period in Hendrix's career.
• Circumstances: Hendrix was allegedly abducted by a group of gangsters who demanded a ransom from his management. Details about how the kidnapping unfolded are vague, but it’s said that the captors took Hendrix to an unknown location and held him there for several days.

Motive

• Financial Gain: The kidnappers' primary goal seemed to be ransom money, as Hendrix was at the peak of his fame and wealth.
• Industry Conflict Theory: Some believe the kidnapping may have been tied to disputes within the music industry, as Hendrix was entangled in various legal and contractual conflicts at the time. His manager, Michael Jeffrey, was known for having connections to dubious figures.

Resolution

• Michael Jeffrey’s Involvement: Hendrix’s controversial manager reportedly negotiated his release. According to some accounts, Jeffrey may have paid off the kidnappers or used his connections to secure Hendrix’s freedom.
• Conspiracy Theories: There are claims that Jeffrey staged the kidnapping himself as a way to control Hendrix or to intimidate him into staying loyal. These theories remain unproven but are fueled by Jeffrey's reputation for manipulation.

Aftermath

• Hendrix’s Reaction: Hendrix rarely spoke about the incident publicly, adding to the mystery. Friends and colleagues noted that he appeared shaken but otherwise didn’t let the ordeal derail his career.
• Ongoing Speculation: The lack of concrete evidence and conflicting accounts from those involved have left the story open to interpretation, with many believing there’s more to the tale than meets the eye.

Potential Podcast Angles

• Exploring the Conspiracy: Dive into the theory that Michael Jeffrey orchestrated the kidnapping to maintain control over Hendrix.
• Music Industry Dangers: Discuss how the incident reflects the darker side of the music industry in the 1960s, including its ties to organized crime.
• Psychological Impact: Analyze how this event may have influenced Hendrix’s music and personal life during his final years.

1. He Was Nearly in The Beatles: While it’s widely known he admired The Beatles, few people know that in 1966 Hendrix expressed a desire to join them as a bassist after hearing Paul McCartney’s revolutionary bass lines.
   
   
2. He Had Synesthesia: Hendrix reportedly experienced synesthesia, a neurological condition that allowed him to "see" sounds as colors. He often described his music in terms of color and texture, which influenced his vivid songwriting.

(see additional notes)

1. Secret Album Influences: Hendrix’s favorite album was Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde, but he also loved Wes Montgomery’s jazz guitar and Curtis Mayfield’s smooth style. These artists deeply influenced his approach to melody and rhythm.
   
   
2. He Was a Major Elvis Fan: Hendrix’s first musical obsession was Elvis Presley. After seeing Elvis perform in 1957, a young Hendrix became determined to pursue music and often emulated Presley’s stage presence in his early years.
   
   
3. Invented a Guitar Effect by Accident: Hendrix helped popularize the use of the wah-wah pedal, but his most innovative sonic discovery was playing the guitar amplifier’s feedback as a deliberate musical element—an accident he turned into art.
   
   
4. The Woodstock Guitar Almost Didn’t Happen: Hendrix’s iconic white Stratocaster from Woodstock was almost stolen before the festival. A quick-thinking roadie retrieved it just before the performance.
   
   
5. His Estate Didn’t Have a Will: Hendrix died intestate (without a will), leading to decades of legal battles over his estate. Even today, his family continues to dispute rights and royalties tied to his music.
   
   
6. He Played Guitar for the Monkees: In 1967, Hendrix opened for The Monkees on tour. The pairing was a disaster as Monkees fans (mostly young teens) didn’t appreciate his psychedelic rock. He was ultimately dropped from the lineup.
   
   

 

This week:

 

Loudini: Eric Idle F*ck Christmas (monty python), Molly Hatchet (what happened to them), Billy Hume F**ked Himself, How Liz Phair destroyed her “indie cred” (rock & roll true stories), Drones (chase hughes), Fellowship of The Ring, Inheritance (2020), Mr Beast doesn't know who prince is, Tarantino: movies vs TV, Tom hanks turned down star trek, Loudini hates “You Oughta Know” by Alanis, 100 Dick Girl

 

Kevin: so good it’s good Bare Naked Ladies w/ Alex Lifeson, 

 

New & Notable:

Loudini: Alex Melton; I believe in a thing called Love

Kevin: Black Sunday; Wear The Crown