Beginnings
James “Al” Hendrix, father of this late guitarist foresaw the unparalleled influence of his son Jimi’s music. Therefore, he formed a company, Experience Hendrix L.L.C., to preserve the legacy of his legendary son. The company took on the task of keeping Jimi’s music alive by organizing tribute concerts in honor of the late musician. The effort became an on-going series of concerts that has enthralled Hendrix’s fans immensely over the years. Experience Hendrix Tour 2014 is a leg of the same.
The idea was basically conceived in 1995 with a concert held at the Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival in September that year. This tribute concert was fully sponsored by the Hendrix Family and was a headlining attraction at this annual Seattle music festival.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
The Jimi Hendrix Experience was the rock band of Jimi Hendrix which he formed in 1966 with Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell. Jimi was the lead singer, principal songwriter and guitarist of the band, Redding provided backing vocals and bass while Mitchell played drums. The Experience is especially known for its front man - the charismatic Hendrix, his skills and his style. The band remained active for only three years but not before releasing three successful studio albums. Redding left the band somewhere in 1969 but the remaining two continued working on new projects. Billy Cox took up playing bass for the band when it reunited in 1970.
The band has been credited for majorly influencing the heavy metal and hard rock music of the late 1960s and more after that. It became an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
Touring Artists in Experience Hendrix
Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Cesar Rosas, David Hidalgo, Eric Gales, Bootsy Collins, Mato Nanji and Ana Popovic are this year’s featured artists in Experience Hendrix. Most of the artists on the roster have also contributed in the past tribute shows in one form or the other. Apart from the lineup of guitarists, there will also be Billy Cox on bass and Chris Layton on Drums. Cox was the band member of Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys while Layton is a former band member of Double Trouble.
Experience Hendrix was a success from the very beginning and showed signs that it will one day become a major event. The idea of guitar virtuosos coming together to pay tribute to the music of one legendary artist and showing their own talents was one-of-a-kind. Experience Hendrix tickets go out in huge numbers among fans who can enjoy anything and everything related to Jimi Hendrix. The trend continues with every event and the 2014 tribute tour is no different.