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James Marshall Hendrix was born on November 17,1942 in Seattle, Washington. He his first guitar at age 13. The only problem was left-handed. He reversed the strings and played upside-down. He could not afford lessons so he taught himself. He was very intelligent as a child and it reflected in his music immediately. | |
| His initial influences were B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Check Berry, and Robert Johnson. He wasn't open to 50's mainstream rock'n'roll. He started to listen to all types tpes of music and formed his own style combining all his influences. |  |
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His first gigs were with his high school cover band with his friends. At age 17, he dropped out of school and joined the army to avoid the draft. He made 25 parachute jumps in the 101st Airborne. Luckily he broke his ankle right before the Vietnam War. Now he was ready to peruse his musical career. | |
| He moved up to New York for better music atmosphere. He auditioned and got the part for a guitarist for the Isley Brothers from 64-65. After that, he played with B.B King, Little Richard, and Ike and Tina. He was already making a a name for himself as an up-coming artist. |  |
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In 1966, Chas Chandler, the bassist for The Animals, discovered him and convinced him to go London with him. On the first night, he bruoght Jimi to a Cream concert. Clapton was so imressed with his playing he asked him to join him on stage that night. Chandler knew he had found something special. He immediately began searching for a backing band. He found that drummer Mitch Mithell and bassist Noel Redding. | |
| Together they formed " The Experience". Shortly after playing few gigs in local music clubs. They decided they wanted to hit the studio and its all magic from there. |  |
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