Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Hyperion (2005), Hardcover, 400 pages
Description
Biography & Autobiography. History. Music. Nonfiction. HTML: For many, the name Jimi Hendrix conjures up a larger-than-life image of the man who set fire to guitars, women's hearts, and the status quo. In this groundbreaking account, music journalist Charles R. Cross takes a far deeper look. Beyond Hendrix's legendary onstage and offstage magnetism and his excessive lifestyle was a man who struggled to accept his role as an idol and privately craved the kind of normal family life he never had. Based on more than three hundred interviews and never-before-seen private documents, this book recounts the entire arc of Hendrix's life, from his troubled childhood and struggle with racial prejudice to his rapid ascent in swinging London to headlining Woodstock in 1969, with his death a year later. As colorful and large as the decade of the sixties, this biography gives the real Hendrix the immortality he deserves..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member zenhead
an engaging, though ultimately very sad story. this man was so vastly talented, but got caught up so quickly in the tangle of '60s rock celebrity. his fractured childhood was not able to sustain and guide him into adulthood. even though i knew where the story was heading, the book was a real page
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turner. with so much myth and legend surrounding hendrix, i reserve judgement on the veracity of everything in this book, but it certainly seems well researched - and well written. Show Less
LibraryThing member achelate
Only knew Hendrix the legend. This book made me see Jimi the man.
LibraryThing member nm.spring08.bdunham
The biography of Jimmi Hendrix room full of mirrors was an awesome book. it when into his life style pretty deep. Started with his child hood and went on to how he was when he was the great guitarist he was. It talks about his addictions. And the problems he faced growing up.
Jimmi didn’t have
Jimmi started playing guitar with a broom. He would strum it and play on it so hard that the bristles would fall out. He got his 1st real guitar in his teen years on his birthday from his older brother.
Jimmi plaid guitar with some of the greatest bands. But when he plaid it wasn’t really him. When he died he was just getting to the point where he was playing who he was. If he would have lived to be an older man who knows where he would have taken his guitar playing.
Jimmi didn’t have
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the greatest child hood growing up he was razed with a not so good family. He had an older brother who was always there for him. He ate diner at his Nabors and friends house nearly every night.Jimmi started playing guitar with a broom. He would strum it and play on it so hard that the bristles would fall out. He got his 1st real guitar in his teen years on his birthday from his older brother.
Jimmi plaid guitar with some of the greatest bands. But when he plaid it wasn’t really him. When he died he was just getting to the point where he was playing who he was. If he would have lived to be an older man who knows where he would have taken his guitar playing.
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LibraryThing member TakeItOrLeaveIt
one of the best biographies I have ever read. Cross focuses the first 100 pages strictly on Hedrix's parents, and grandparents. you can imagine how detailed it is when it comes to his adventurous, artistic, and short life.
LibraryThing member wsapnin
Who knew he was a military man who got out by claiming he was gay? This book shows how he got to be so good at playing guitar. He would practice any where to perfect his craft. Too bad the drugs got to him at the end. Who knows what would've been.
LibraryThing member EbonyHaywood
Good greif! Poor Hendrix. His life was depressing before he was even born! I didn't realize how difficult his life was and his those difficulties informed his music, particularly his fragmented relationship with his mother.
LibraryThing member Eye_Gee
A well written account of how Jimi Hendrix evolved into the master guitarist known all over the world. He grew up in Seattle in a brokene home, desperately poor. He receives his first guitar at age 9 or 10 and from that point on he never stops learning his instrument, eventually becoming what many
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considered the best guitarist in the world. His rise to stardom was classic. He spent years on the road playing with different bands and barely making a living. Musicians appreciated his genius but it did not get him recognition or a record deal. He probably never would have been discovered if he hadn't met and become friendly with Keith Richards' (Rolling Stone guitarist) girlfriend, who brought him to England and introduced him to the right peoploe. Stardom then came quickly. He was intensely creative, writing many of the songs he performed, but also covering other artists. He loved Dylan, and Dylan is said to have loved his covers -- such as All Along the Watchtower. The Beatles, too, were early fans. The downward spiral is unfortunately predictable. It is our loss. Jimi had what seemed an endless source of inspiration and a real artists soul. I am not a huge Hendrix fan but I was intrigued and I'm glad to have listened to this book. Well read by the narrator, too. Show Less
Awards
Washington State Book Award (Finalist — 2007)
Christian Science Monitor Best Book (Music — 2005)
Language
Physical description
400 p.; 9.6 inches
ISBN
1401300286 / 9781401300289