"The time I burned my guitar it was like a sacrifice. You sacrifice the things you love. I love my guitar."
-Jimi Hendrix.
On this day in 1967 'Are You Experienced' (the debut studio album by the Jimi Hendrix Experience) was released.
Having started playing guitar since he was 15 years old, Hendrix moved to England in 1966 and formed The Jimi Hendrix Experience releasing tracks 'Hey Joe' and Purple Haze'.The LP was an immediate critical and commercial success, and it is widely regarded as one of the greatest debuts in the history of rock music. Are You Experienced spent 33 weeks on the charts, peaking at number two.
The album features Jimi Hendrix's new approach to songwriting and electric guitar playing which soon established a new direction in psychedelic and rock music. At first, what caught most people's attention was his guitar playing, wah-wah pedals, buzzing feedback solos, crunching, distorted riffs, and lightning-quick liquid runs up and down the scales were mind-blowing. Hendrix was also a songwriter, mixing the psychedelic with some surprising pop hooks and tender sentiments.
Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century.
This week's sketch….
Featured image: 'woodstock' by Michael Wadleigh