New Jimi Hendrix music, diaries and interviews

Close to what would have been Jimi Hendrix’s 71^st birthday, some interesting discoveries have recently been unearthed.  A “new” song, recently lost diaries and interviews with the late, legendary guitarist/singer-songwriter shed additional light on the 27 year-old music icon.

The lost song â€"actually uncovered and circulated earlier this year, is a tuneful track titled “Somewhere”.  It dates back to 1968 and features Steven Stills on bass.

Within these interviews and other written rock “artifacts”, Jimi Hendrix shares his thoughts on such subjects as his original band, his early fears, racism, his funeral plan preferences and death.

Hendrix had this to say about his first band: “When I was 17 I formed this group with some other guys, but they drowned me out. I didn’t know why at first, but after about three months I realized I’d have to get an electric guitar. My first was a Danelectro, which my dad bought for me. Must have busted him for a long time.”

Hendrix also reflected upon his first paid performance confessing that he was so nervous he could only play from behind the stage curtains.  He recalled: “I remember my first gig was at an armory, a National Guard place, and we earned 35 cents apiece and three hamburgers.”

He continued: “It was so hard for me at first. I knew about three songs, and when it was time for us to play on stage I was all shaky, so I had to play behind the curtains. I just couldn’t get up in front.”

Hendrix also discussed racism.  He said: “Race isn’t a problem in my world. I don’t look at things in terms of races. I look at things in terms of people. I’m not thinking about black people or white people. I’m thinking about the obsolete and the new.”

In fact, he had quite a lot to say on the subject: “There’s no color part now, no black and white. The frustrations and riots going on today (1967) are all about more personal things. Everybody has wars within themselves, so they form different things, and it comes out as a war against other people. They get justified as they justify others in their attempts to get personal freedom. That’s all it is.”

Hendrix had specific ideas about death and his memorial services as well.  “It’s funny the way people love the dead. You have to die before they think you are worth anything. Once you are dead, you are made for life. When I die, just keep on playing the records.”

He continued: “I tell you, when I die I’m going to have a jam session. I want people to go wild and freak out. And knowing me, I’ll probably get busted at my own funeral. The music will be played loud and it will be our music.”

He even had some ideas about a playlist and guest musicians.  “”I won’t have any Beatles songs, but I’ll have a few of Eddie Cochran’s things and a whole lot of blues. Roland Kirk will be there, and I’ll try and get Miles Davis along if he feels like making it. For that it’s almost worth dying. Just for the funeral.”

(Images courtesy of Someonesinthewolf and Rollingstone.com)