What is it that this world has done to celebrate the 69th birthday on Nov. 27, 2011 of the legendary Jimi Hendrix? Well, it was hardly a certainty given the competition the great rock guitarist was up against, but a scant week before his 69th, Hendrix was named Rolling Stone magazine's all-time greatest rock guitarist.
Hendrix died 41 years, 2 months and 11 days before this birthday, in tragic circumstances never fully explained. The autopsy report in London, England, said his death - he died at his German girlfriends flat - was due to asphyxiation and it was reported he choked on his own vomit after swallowing tablets stronger than he thought. There were accusations his girlfriend did not call the ambulance for hours, which she denied.
Jimi Hendrix: Birthday Celebrations of His Music
There continue to be celebrations of his music on his birthday at clubs such as 'B.B. King Blues Club and Grill' in New York City and the 'Triple Door Club' in Seattle. There is a long list of tribute nights for Hendrix and his music, more often rock bands make sure to do Hendrix songs during their show and let the audience know it is his birthday.
Another planned manner of celebrating his birthday this year was the release in the week before of an app for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch called 'The Complete Experience'. It has information on Jimi about, well, about everything from his concerts and albums and documentaries about him.
The app even lets you know if you're near Hendrix areas of interest such as Electric Lady studios or the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, where, naturally, Hendrix has been enshrined (in 1992). You can get 'The Complete Experience' app at an iTunes App store.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Today
There are a series of concerts and tours called the 'Experience Hendrix Tours' managed by family members and begun by his late father, who died in 2002. The 2011 tour featured Kenny Wayne Shepard, players from 'Los Lobos' and 'Double Trouble', Brad Whitford of 'Aerosmith', Vernon Reid of 'Living Color', Hendrix' former bassist Billy Cox and others. They'll be another tour playing his music next year.
Rolling Stone's naming of Hendrix at the top of the list of the 100 Greatest Rock Guitarists of all-time was great timing, great timing that took time. They had a panel of 70 guitarists and rock writers and all had input into who would make the list and where they might be placed.
Jimi Hendrix turns 69 at the top of the rock guitar world.
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