Jimi Hendrix
1942-1970 · American (Seattle) · Psychedelic Rock
Known for: The greatest electric guitarist ever who redefined the instrument at Monterey and Woodstock
Hendrix was a left-handed, self-taught genius who played a right-handed Stratocaster flipped upside down. He used feedback, distortion, and the wah-wah pedal as compositional tools. His Star-Spangled Banner at Woodstock remains the most powerful protest performance in music history.
He was shy and gentle offstage, volcanic onstage. He died at 27 of asphyxiation after mixing barbiturates and alcohol.
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