He’s known for his incredible guitar licks, but there’s a whole lot more to know about the fascinating Jimi Hendrix. Here are a few interesting facts about one of the greatest guitarists of all time:
- Though his guitar skills are unparalleled, Hendrix had no formal training when he began playing. He taught himself to play guitar as a teenager by listening to blues guitarists at his childhood home in Seattle, Washington.
- Jimi Hendrix was left handed, but instead of playing a left-handed guitar, he simply took a standard Fender Stratocaster and played it upside down. Hendrix is also often credited with being one of the first guitarists to master electronic sound effects, like feedback and distortion.
- Hendrix joined the army in 1961 with hopes of becoming a paratrooper. He managed to play music even while he was enlisted, forming a band called The King Casuals.
- Before branching out on his own, Hendrix was a backup guitarist for Little Richard, Sam Cooke, the Isley Brothers, and other recognizable names.
- Hendrix started the Jimi Hendrix Experience in London after his manager, Chas Chandler of the Animals, suggested that he move there. The band became popular among England’s most elite musicians, from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to The Who.
Jimi Hendrix Biography [Rolling Stone]
Jimi Hendrix [Biography]
Jimi Hendrix [Britannica]
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