Hendrix, Jimi (1942-1970), was an American rock music guitarist. He extended the range of the electric guitar chiefly by experimenting with the guitar’s electronic elements to create sounds that were new to rock. His music emphasized loud volume, a strong beat, and long solo passages that achieved great emotional impact.
James Marshall Hendrix was born on Nov. 27, 1942, in Seattle. During the early 1960’s, he toured as a guitarist with many famous rhythm and blues performers. He moved to New York City in the mid-1960’s and formed his own band. In late 1966, Hendrix went to England and organized a new band called the Jimi Hendrix Experience. The group consisted of Hendrix and two British musicians, bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell. The band broke up in 1969. He gained international fame with the band, and continued to perform in Europe and the United States. Hendrix died in London on Sept. 18, 1970, at age 27 of complications from a drug overdose. The Jimi Hendrix Experience was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
