Saturday, June 4, 2011

A Musical Icon: Jimi Hendrix

By Jack Wogan


1969, Woodstock. It was a turbulent decade, stirred by international conflicts and changes of mentalities. In this context took place the Woodstock festival, attended by numerous hippies and advocates of peace and liberation. Jimi Hendrix was also there, one of the most looked forward musicians. He was already famous due to his album "Are you experienced?" and to his eccentric appearance. His acts were always vivid and the music always animated the public.

The personal history of Jimi Hendrix could make a successful film. His childhood wasn't particularly happy, as his mother died while he was still young. He bought a five-dollar guitar when he was 15 and one year later his father bought for him his first electric guitar. The young Jimi Hendrix had to enroll in the army, but quit short afterwards for it wasn't an environment he could survive in, even though even while he was there he used to play the guitar with fellow soldiers.

Jimi Hendrix's trajectory was a sinuous one, which renders his figure even more impressive and iconic. He had a tormented and rather unhappy childhood and the guitar he received at 15 became his best friend. He absorbed all the styles and their languages became part of his vocabulary, an innovative and unheard one, vivid and overflowing with energy. His technical ability and his creativity allowed him to revolutionize rock'n'roll with unusual distorts and distinctive sound effects.

More than anyone else, Jimi Hendrix was able to express the fullest range of sounds that could be obtained from an amplified instrument. Among the main musical currents that incorporated into his music we can distinguish free jazz, delta blues, acid rock, R&B, soul, hardcore funk. As long as the lyrics are concerned, he was a fan of Bob Dylan and the Beatles. Despite all these influences, his music doesn't resemble anything else and is even today original and distinctive.

It is true that Jimi Hendrix started with a five-dollar guitar, and got to become of the greatest musicians ever, but he changed instruments and had always tried to better his acts and to add new quirks to his sound. If you have already started playing the guitar, you might be surprised to find that a different guitar can give you new ideas and impulses to create, for every guitar has its special sound. Nothing's better than to take a look at the guitars that PRS Guitar offers. You will find a heaven for every passionate guitarist and most certainly the guitar you've been waiting for!




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