‘Wild Man of Borneo’ - Jimi Hendrix

“‘He looks like the Wild Man of Borneo.’ The tag would later end up as one of Jimi's nicknames in the tabloids, a consequence of his unkempt physical appearance and his race, both of which were so unusual on London's music scene that he might as well have been a new anthropological discovery. The name was racist, of course, and the description would never have been used for a white musician. Still, Jimi enjoyed the nickname, as it sounded mysterious and foreign, qualities he hoped to cultivate.” (Cross 2005).

Although you wouldn’t know by seeing him at first glance, there was extraordinary talent hidden under his untidy appearance. Many would say that Jimi Hendrix was possibly the greatest and most revolutionary guitarist of all time. Starting out as a backup musician for the like of artists such as Little Richard, the Isley Brothers, Jackie Wilson, the Impressions and Sam Cooke, he was soon discovered in 1966 by former Animals bassist, Chas Chandler (The Jimi Hendrix Experience 2007).

It wouldn’t be long before Hendrix would realize the fullest range of sound that could be obtained from an amplified instrument and go on to play at some of the most famous influential music festivals ever played; Monterey Pop and Woodstock. It has been said that “Hendrix channeled the music of the cosmos, anchoring it to the earthy beat of rock and roll.” (The Jimi Hendrix Experience 2007) He incorporated Free jazz, delta blues, acid rock, hoardcore funk to create the melodies of his masterpieces and combined it with the songwriting influence of Bob Dylan and the Beatles. The final result: “songs and sounds that were original, otherworldly and virtually indescribable.” (The Jimi Hendrix Experience 2007)



Hendrix’s performances (such as that in the video above) which were considered entertainment extraordinaire and included the ceremonial torching of his guitar at Monterey, have become part of rock and roll legend. Hendrix was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 (The Jimi Hendrix Experience 2007)

References:

Cross, C. 2005, ‘The Legend of Jimi Hendrix’, Rolling Stone, July 28, viewed 30 May 2009, http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/7504172/cover_story_the_legend_of_jimi_
hendrix.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience, 2007, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, viewed 30 May 2009, http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/the-jimi-hendrix-experience.