Jimi Hendrix was one of the greatest electric guitarists that ever lived and was at the forefront of the psychedelic (acid rock) movement of the late 60's. Jimi had and continues to have a profound effect on pop, rock, blues, and even jazz guitar. With his trio, which included bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, Hendrix rose to international stardom in 1967 and sold millions of records. Besides being a great guitarist, Hendrix was also a talented singer and song writer. He was primarily an electric guitar player but he also played acoustic guitar.

Jimi Hendrix charted new territories with his use of roaring distortion and feedback, huge volume levels, and his use of the wah-wah pedal. His virtuosic guitar style was steeped in the blues guitar and R&B tradition.

Jimi Hendrix is primarily identified with Fender Stratocaster guitars played through Marshall amps. However, he also owned and played several other guitars including a Fender Jaguar and a Fender jazzman. He also owned a Gibson Flying V, a Gibson SG and Gibson Les Paul, as well as a Hofner Club 40, an Epiphone acoustic, a Martin acoustic guitar, and a Gretsch Corvette. Besides Marshall amplifiers which Jimi began playing in 1969, he owned and played through a Sivertone, a Fender Twin Reverb (mid 60's), and a Fender Dual Showman (let us just mention here that we have an entire curriculum based on learning rock guitar, a rock rhythm and rock solo course. learn more here).

( Nov 27, 1942 , Seattle, WA - September 18, 1970, London, England) Originally Johnny Allen Hendrix, his name was changed by his father to James Marshall Hendrix in 1946. After working with several R&B acts in the early to mid 60's on the chitlin circuit, Hendrix came to international prominence in 1967 and released his debut album, "Are You Experienced?", which became one of the definitive recordings of the psychedelic era and one of the greatest rock guitar albums. Hendrix went on to become one of the most influential electric guitarists of all time. With his virtuosic technique, engaging singing and pyrotechnical sense of showmanship, he won over millions of fans and inspired several generations of guitarists and other musicians including Miles Davis, Angus Young, Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

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