Today would have marked the 79th birthday of the great Jimi Hendrix. Born James Marshall Hendrix on November 27th, 1942, the guitar god rose to fame for his insanely innovative guitar-playing abilities during the British blues revival period of the mid-1960s. Hendrix was a powerhouse musical entity, commanding attention with his unique style like never before. He redefined the instrument, and what it meant to perform with it.
Though Hendrix only lived until the age of 27, his influence on music has been enormous ever since. His work with the Jimi Hendrix Experience was second to none, and perhaps no performance captures the essence of his abilities better than Woodstock. Though it may not have been his best show of all time, Jimi Hendrix took the stage at 9 a.m. on August 18th, 1969, launching into otherworldly versions of well-known jams like “Fire”, “Izabella”, and the famed “Star-Spangled Banner.”
In honor of Hendrix’s 79th today, check out a full video from his Woodstock performance below. Happy Birthday, Jimi.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Woodstock – Bethel, NY – 8/18/1969
Setlist: Jimi Hendrix Experience | Woodstock Music & Arts Festival | Bethel, NY | 8/18/69
Set: Message to Love, Getting My Heart Back Together Again > Hear My Train a-Comin’, Spanish Castle Magic, Red House, Mastermind, Lover Man, Foxy Lady, Beginning > Jam Back at the House, Izabella, Gypsy Woman, Fire, Voodoo Child (Slight Return), Stepping Stone, Star-Spangled Banner, Purple Haze, Woodstock Improvisation, Villanova Junction, Hey Joe
[Originally published 11/27/16]