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 b