My Jimi Hendrix Book Report

Listen while you read: “If 6 Was 9” – Jimi Hendrix Experience

Those who were there — and those who weren’t — remember 1960s in the United States with a romantic fondness, using broad-stroke words like “idealism,” “freedom,” “discovery,” and of course “peace and love.”

I was surprisingly not present for any of the 1960s in the United States, but I would lay another word over the day-glow descriptions above:

“Hogwash.”

I’m certain the time was more complicated than I can imagine. But, I just finished a book abut Jimi Hendrix that really bummed me way out.

About the book itself: Jimi Hendrix; The Intimate Story of a Betrayed Musical Legend by Sharon Lawrence is written in four parts, only two of which cover the details of Hendrix when he was alive. Lawrence was a young reporter when she met Hendrix and describes a fairly close friendship with the man that rings true. She describes Hendrix’ life and death in mostly first-person detail. She then recounts the fate of everyone in the Hendrix universe, from his greedy father, shockingly manipulative adopted sister, slimy manager, fame-hungry music biz stereotypes, countless drug-addled hangers-on, and ultimately lethal model girlfriend.

I found myself deeply affected by Lawrence’s story. For all the supposed admiration and worship that surrounded Hendrix when he was alive, he had no one looking out for him. No one ever thought: What does Jimi want for himself and how can I help this amazing person even a little bit? Everyone that crossed his path ended up stifling, suffocating, bleeding, sucking, stealing, and eventually killing him.  For the swinging 60s, I would have thought somewhere there would be a selfless idealist, a glowing celestial soul, to become kindred spirits with the guy. Nope. No magical faeries either.  I consider hearing Hendrix to be one of the bright musical moments of my life, and I almost couldn’t finish the book, it was so depressing. When he was alive, he was subject to every bad success cliche you’ve seen in any rock ‘n’ roll movie. After his death, his music and estate has been fought over and exploited by a byzantine soap opera of villainous characters that would give Shakespeare pause. Ultimately, I had to finish the book, both because it was such a shocking tale, and emotionally I felt a need to bear witness to the truth — as sappy as that sounds. I’m aware that this is one human’s version of the events, but the account rings true to me, and much of what is actual fact is inescapable.

I now look upon any Hendrix memorabilia with suspicion. I’m relieved to remember I purchased the Jimi Hendrix Live at Monterey DVD used. I want none of my money to go to Experience Hendrix Ltd, a exploitative merchandising empire run by an insane Janie Hendrix who — as told by Lawrence — is rather evil and twisted and ultimately pathetic. Seriously, if there is anybody’s music you should feel completely cool with downloading for free, it’s Jimi Hendrix. Read the book. It’s a gripping saga that’s Shakespeare meets Dickens, but with Eric Clapton and John Lennon grooving out in the wings.

An inescapable facet of our culture is that iconic figures — icons, for sure — distill down to mere one-word abbreviations of themselves, and nowhere is this more apparent than with dead rock stars. Tupac, Cobain, Marley, Elvis, and Hendrix adorn countless frisbees, shotglasses, mousepads, and t-shirts worn by people who have no idea of the story of the lives the faces represent. I would never presume to fight against this crass misuse of sparkling human spirit, but I would point directions when I can for those who seek a better understanding of these rare but undeniable lights that have really created something in this dark morass.  When it comes to Jimi Hendrix for me, this book did exactly that.

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One Response

1. Gilliane Lataillade says:

   28 August, 2008 at 2:26 pm

   Wow, what an interesting take on an iconic star. I really enjoyed this review and would like to check out this book. Thanks for sharing!

   Reply