John Allen Hendrix Biography

Birth of Jimi Hendrix

Arrested for stealing a car & given a choice between spending two years in prison or joining the army, Hendrix chooses the latter and enlists

Hendrix makes a precarious living on the Chitlin Circuit, performing in black-oriented venues throughout the South with both the King Kasuals and in backing bands for various soul, R&B, and blues musicians

Hendrix earns a spot as the new guitarist for the The Isley Brothers band and joined their national tour, which included the southern Chitlin Circuit

Hendrix signs a three-year recording contract with entrepreneur Ed Chalpin, receiving $1 and 1% royalty on records with Curtis Knight. Hendrix joins a New York-based band, Curtis Knight and the Squires

Hendrix plays his first successful studio session on the two-part Isley Brothers hit "Testify"

Chas Chandler helps Hendrix form a new band, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, with guitarist-turned-bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, both British musicians

Hendrix forms his own band, Jimmy James and The Blue Flames

Hendrixs first single is a cover of "Hey Joe", crafted after folk-singer Tim Roses slower revision of the song and adapted to Hendrixs style

Releases Album, "Axis, Bold as Love". Releases Album, "Are You Experienced"

Releases Album, "Axis, Bold as Love". Releases Album, "Are You Experienced"

Releases Album, "Electric Ladyland"

Founds the Band of Gypsys

Hendrix headlines the Woodstock music festival, gives a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, a solo improvisation which became a defining moment of the 1960s

Hendrix is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Rolling Stone names Hendrix number 1 on their list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time

Hendrix is inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame