Jimi Hendrix Timeline

(November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970)

Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970) was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in rock music history. Rising to fame in London in 1966 with the Jimi Hendrix Experience, he revolutionized guitar playing through innovative use of feedback, distortion, and studio effects, delivering iconic performances at Monterey Pop and Woodstock before his untimely death at age 27. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Early Life

Jimi Hendrix is born in Seattle, Washington

Nov 27, 1942

Johnny Allen Hendrix, later renamed James Marshall Hendrix, was born in Seattle, Washington. He would grow up to become one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music.

Image source: Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix is born in Seattle, Washington

Hendrix receives his first acoustic guitar

1957

At age 14, Hendrix acquired his first guitar, a used acoustic instrument purchased for five dollars. He taught himself to play by watching others and listening to records, practicing obsessively for hours each day.

Hendrix joins the U.S. Army and trains as a paratrooper

May 31, 1961 - Sep 11, 1962

Hendrix enlisted in the United States Army and completed paratrooper training with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He was honorably discharged after an injury and turned fully to music.

Musical Career

Plays as a sideman on the Chitlin' Circuit

1963 - 1965

After leaving the Army, Hendrix toured with backing bands for artists like the Isley Brothers and Little Richard, honing his stagecraft and developing his flamboyant performance style across the American South.

Moves to New York City and forms Jimmy James and the Blue Flames

1964

Hendrix relocated to New York City's Greenwich Village, where he formed his own band, Jimmy James and the Blue Flames, and began attracting attention for his virtuosic guitar playing in local clubs.

Chas Chandler discovers Hendrix and brings him to London

Sep 24, 1966

Former Animals bassist Chas Chandler saw Hendrix perform at the Cafe Wha? in New York and convinced him to move to London, promising to introduce him to Eric Clapton and help him form a new band.

Image source: Chas Chandler

The Jimi Hendrix Experience is formed

Oct 6, 1966

In London, Hendrix teamed up with bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell to form The Jimi Hendrix Experience, a power trio that would revolutionize rock music.

Image source: Jimi Hendrix

Releases debut single "Hey Joe"

Dec 16, 1966

"Hey Joe" became the Experience's first single, reaching number six on the UK Singles Chart and establishing Hendrix as a rising star in the British music scene.

Image source: Hey Joe

Releases debut album "Are You Experienced"

May 12, 1967

The Experience's debut album featured groundbreaking tracks like "Purple Haze," "Foxy Lady," and the title track, showcasing Hendrix's innovative use of feedback, distortion, and studio effects.

Image source: Are You Experienced

Releases second album "Axis: Bold as Love"

Dec 1, 1967

The Experience's second album displayed Hendrix's growing sophistication as a songwriter and studio innovator, featuring psychedelic textures and intricate production techniques.

Image source: Axis: Bold as Love

Releases double album "Electric Ladyland"

Oct 16, 1968

"Electric Ladyland" became Hendrix's only number one album in the US, featuring the epic cover of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" and the extended jam "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)."

Image source: Electric Ladyland

Arrested at Toronto airport on drug charges

May 3, 1969

Hendrix was arrested at Toronto International Airport after heroin and barbiturates were found in his luggage. He claimed the drugs were planted, and he was later acquitted of the charges.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience disbands

Jun 29, 1969

Tensions within the band led to its breakup after a show in Denver. Hendrix began exploring new musical directions with larger ensembles and different collaborators.

Forms Gypsy Sun and Rainbows for Woodstock

Aug 1969

Hendrix assembled a temporary large ensemble including Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cox, and percussionists to perform at the Woodstock festival under the name Gypsy Sun and Rainbows.

Forms Band of Gypsys with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles

Oct 1969

Hendrix reunited with army friend Billy Cox on bass and recruited drummer Buddy Miles to form Band of Gypsys, pursuing a funkier, rhythm-driven direction.

Image source: Band of Gypsys

Records live album "Band of Gypsys" at Fillmore East

Dec 31, 1969 - Jan 1, 1970

Over four shows at New York's Fillmore East on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, Hendrix recorded the material that became the live album Band of Gypsys, released later in 1970.

Band of Gypsys disbands after troubled Madison Square Garden show

Jan 28, 1970

A benefit concert for anti-violence group UNICEF at Madison Square Garden ended abruptly when Hendrix walked offstage after just two songs, effectively ending the Band of Gypsys project.

Reforms the Experience with Billy Cox replacing Noel Redding

Apr 1970

Hendrix brought back Mitch Mitchell and added bassist Billy Cox to reform the Experience, embarking on The Cry of Love tour to support new material.

Opens Electric Lady Studios in New York City

Aug 26, 1970

Hendrix opened his own state-of-the-art recording studio in Greenwich Village, designed to his specifications, where he recorded much of his final work.

Image source: Electric Lady Studios

Iconic Performances

Performs "Wild Thing" at the Monterey Pop Festival

Jun 18, 1967

Hendrix stunned American audiences at Monterey by playing the guitar with his teeth, behind his back, and finally setting it on fire before smashing it, cementing his reputation as rock's most electrifying live performer.

Image source: Monterey International Pop Festival

Performs "Wild Thing" at the Monterey Pop Festival

Headlines the Newport Pop Festival

Jun 20, 1969

Hendrix performed before one of the largest crowds of his career at the Newport Pop Festival in Northridge, California, demonstrating his enduring draw as a live act.

Image source: Newport Pop Festival

Performs legendary closing set at Woodstock

Aug 18, 1969

Playing to the exhausted remnants of the Woodstock crowd on Monday morning, Hendrix delivered a searing distortion-laden rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" that became an enduring symbol of the era.

Image source: Woodstock

Final performance at the Isle of Fehmarn festival

Sep 6, 1970

Hendrix played his last concert at the Open Air Love and Peace Festival on the German island of Fehmarn, performing in poor weather to a crowd of tens of thousands.

Image source: Isle of Wight Festival 1970

Final performance at the Isle of Fehmarn festival

Legacy

Jimi Hendrix dies in London at age 27

Sep 18, 1970

Hendrix died at the Samarkand Hotel in London after being found unresponsive; the coroner ruled the death was caused by asphyxia due to aspiration of vomit after barbiturate intoxication.

Image source: Death of Jimi Hendrix

Film "Jimi Plays Berkeley" documents final tour performances

1971

Concert footage from Hendrix's May 1970 performances at the Berkeley Community Theatre was compiled into a documentary film showcasing his final touring period.

Image source: Jimi Hendrix posthumous discography

Posthumous album "The Cry of Love" is released

Feb 1971

Assembled from recordings Hendrix had been working on at Electric Lady Studios, The Cry of Love reached number three in the US and was certified platinum.

Image source: The Cry of Love

Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame dedicated

Nov 1991

Hendrix received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, honoring his contributions to the recording industry and cementing his place among entertainment legends.

Image source: Hollywood Walk of Fame

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

1992

The Jimi Hendrix Experience was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with the hall describing him as arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music.

Image source: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Receives Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

1992

Hendrix was posthumously honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his profound and lasting influence on popular music.

Rolling Stone ranks Hendrix greatest guitarist of all time

2003

Rolling Stone magazine named Jimi Hendrix the greatest guitarist of all time in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists, reaffirming his unmatched influence on the instrument.

Image source: Guitarist

US Postal Service issues Jimi Hendrix commemorative stamp

Mar 13, 2014

The United States Postal Service honored Hendrix with a Forever stamp as part of its Music Icons series, celebrating his enduring cultural impact decades after his death.

Image source: Postage stamps and postal history of the United States

Key Facts

Jimi Hendrix was born Johnny Allen Hendrix on November 27, 1942, in Seattle, Washington, later renamed James Marshall Hendrix.
He formed the Jimi Hendrix Experience in London in 1966 after being discovered by Chas Chandler of The Animals.
His performance of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at Woodstock in August 1969 became one of the most iconic moments in rock history.
Hendrix pioneered new electric guitar techniques, including feedback manipulation, wah-wah pedal use, and amplifier overdrive, influencing generations of musicians.
He died on September 18, 1970, in London at age 27, joining the so-called '27 Club' of musicians who died at that age.

Source

This Jimi Hendrix timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

Want a timeline like this one?

Generate yours with AI or build it from scratch, for free.

Try It for Free