- published: 24 Apr 2011
- views: 63531
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970) was an American musician and singer-songwriter. He is widely considered to be the greatest electric guitarist in music history, and one of the most influential musicians of his era despite mainstream exposure limited to just three years. After initial success in Europe with his group The Jimi Hendrix Experience, he achieved fame in the United States following his 1967 performance at the Monterey Pop Festival. Later, he headlined the iconic 1969 Woodstock Festival and the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival. He often favored raw overdriven amplifiers with high gain and treble and helped develop the previously undesirable technique of guitar amplifier feedback.
Hendrix helped to popularize use of the wah-wah pedal in mainstream rock, which he often used to deliver tonal exaggerations in his solos, particularly with high bends, complex guitar playing, and use of legato. As a record producer, he also broke new ground in using the recording studio as an extension of his musical ideas. He was one of the first to experiment with stereophonic phasing effects for rock recording.[citation needed] He was influenced by blues artists such as B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Albert King and Elmore James,rhythm and blues and soul guitarists Curtis Mayfield and Steve Cropper, and the jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery. Hendrix began dressing and wearing a moustache like Little Richard when he performed and recorded in his band from March 1, 1964 through to the spring of 1965. In 1966, he stated, "I want to do with my guitar what Little Richard does with his voice".
How many lives must I live
How many lies must I hear
How many times must I, feel so blue
How many times must I, lose you
All I hear now
Is the sound of my heart breakin' down
Or losing ground
How many bridges must I burn
How many lessons must I learn
How many times must I ask you to stay
How many times will you push me out of your way
All I hear now
Is the sound of my heart breaking down - losing ground
All I hear now
Is the sound of my heart losing ground - slowing down
Maybe somebody will show me - a better way
Maybe somebody will know me - someday
How many times must I, hear your voice
Inside my dreams, your answering machine
You're always there and everywhere in between
All I hear now
Is the sound of my heart slowing down
Can ya hear the sound
All I hear now
Is the sound of my heart leaving town, breakin' down
Slowin' down, losin' ground, breakin' down and stopping here
All I hear now