Jimi Hendrix: Rock’s Trailblazing Innovator and Influential Guitarist

Who was Jimi Hendrix and how did he create his own innovative style in Rock music through the merger of different musical genres?

Know (knowledge):

• How Jimi Hendrix drew upon multiple music genres to develop his own unique voice in Rock music
• How utilizing showmanship from Blues musicians gave Jimi Hendrix a unique live performance
• How Jimi Hendrix's unique guitar sound influenced the evolution of Rock music
• How Jimi Hendrix’s showmanship was influential to future Rock musicians

Mastery Objective

• Students will be able to identify Jimi Hendrix’s unique musical style by defining terms, analyzing images, viewing videos, and listening to music, resulting in them exploring their own musical identity through a podcast, presentation, or slideshow.

In this lesson, students discuss the musical influences that helped to shape Jimi Hendrix’s unique musical style. In particular, students will discuss the influence of Blues showmanship on Hendrix and how he was able to incorporate that influence into his stage performances. After exploring Hendrix’s influences, students will create a podcast, presentation, or slideshow that details their own influences and how those influences have shaped their own musical style.

The 1960s marked a peak of musical innovation for Rock music. During the decade, musicians pushed creative boundaries, combining diverse musical genres in order to find their own unique sound and carve out their own identity. One of the most influential musicians to create their own sound and identity during this time was Jimi Hendrix.

Born in Seattle, Washington on November 27, 1942, James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix was influenced by Blues music from a young age. At the age of 15, Hendrix began playing the guitar and learning songs solely by ear. He would enlist in the U.S. Army in May 1961 at the age of 18, serving as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division. After being honorably discharged from the military in 1962, Hendrix began his music career as a hired “sideman” guitarist for various Rock and R&B groups, including Little Richard and the Isley Brothers.

Hendrix would move to London in 1966 on the recommendation of his British manager, Chas Chandler to engage in the vibrant music scene that was happening in the city. With his manager’s guidance, a band was quickly organized to feature Hendrix’s incredible musicianship. Hendrix, on guitar and lead vocals, was joined by bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell to create the power trio, The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

With his new group, Hendrix would release his debut album Are You Experienced in May 1967. Until his tragic death in September 1970, Jimi Hendrix created music and presented a live performance unmatched by anyone in Rock music up until that point. In doing so, he set a new standard for future musicians. Hendrix combined his love of the Blues, Psychedelia, R&B, and Rock to create a sound so unique that over fifty years later musicians of all genres are still trying to decode it. Widely regarded as the greatest guitarist in Rock history, Hendrix’s influence is still unmatched today.

As Hendrix was creating his own unique style, advancements in music technology were inspiring artists to experiment with new sounds in uncommon ways. Specifically, the use of guitar effects pedals allowed the sound of the guitar to be altered. Hendrix embraced these new effects both on stage and in the studio, including using the fuzz (distortion) and wah (filter) pedals as both a sonic texture and a way to create a unique sound when soloing. With his creativity especially soaring when making records, Hendrix commissioned the building of his own independent recording studio. Located in Lower Manhattan’s Greenwich Village neighborhood, an acclaimed arts district, Electric Lady Studios provided Hendrix with the freedom to experiment and produce without constraint. This allowed him to further his artistic vision and voice. Opened in August 1970, Hendrix recorded at Electric Lady Studios for several weeks prior to his death in September. The studio continues to be operational and has become one of the most revered recording studios in popular music history, a continuation of Hendrix’s profound musical legacy.

• An internet accessible device for each student