Film Analysis: The Legendary Jimi Hendrix

This documentary told the story of the legendary Jimi Hendrix through his own words. The film was initially released in the United States on September 18, 2010. It was produced by the Hendrix estate and directed by Bob Smeaton. The narration segments, came from written letters that Hendrix had written during his short life. Jimi’s music was harmonically erected throughout the documentary to help envision the colors of the story line. The film features a voiceover of writings and quotes, in this case read by Bootsy Collins, the groundbreaking Parliament-Funkadelic bassist, who, like Hendrix, changed the way the instrument sounded and was played. This film became very popular with adults and particularly the “baby boomers”, because they

Jimi. Hendrix was born on November 27, 1942, in Seattle, Washington. Hendrix began playing the guitar at the young age of fourteen. He was inspired by blues artists like Muddy Waters and rock n’ rollers like Chuck Berry. At the age of 18, Jimi joined the army but was discharged soon after due to an ankle injury. Shortly after his return home, he found himself playing backup guitarist for a few blues and R&B artists. Jimi developed his stage act, old blues tricks like playing with his teeth or behind his head, to impress these “hard to please” audiences. Hendrix was discovered by Chas Chandler and made it big in London, England. Jimi was a free-spirited individual who claimed to see music in colors, hence the song Purple Haze. The song that became a huge hit after his return to the states. While Jimi’s road to fame back in the U.S. may have been short lived, his legend shall forever remain in vibrant

Hendrix and his band conquered the U.K. and decided to make their historic debut at 1967’s Monterey Pop Festival. Pissed off he had to follow The Who’s guitar smashing finale, Jimi pulled out all the stops, ultimately lighting his guitar on fire as a “sacrifice” to the musical gods. Jimi Hendrix was on his knees as his Fender Stratocaster lays before him, shrieking in flames on the stage. Jimi’s fingers fluttered over the guitar’s body, as if he was some sort of psychedelic warlock fueling the flames. However, the gods must have been listening as he soon became one of the era’s biggest