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Jimi Hendrix's story is told through his own words in a new collection of interviews called "Hendrix on Hendrix," coming out Oct. 1. (AP image)

Hendrix's voice comes to life in new collection

BY Josh Kerns  on September 21, 2012 @ 11:49 am (Updated: 9:34 am - 10/10/12 )

This week marked the anniversary of Jimi Hendrix's death at the age of 27. While there've been plenty of books written about him, a new release called "Hendrix on Hendrix: Interviews and Encounters with Jimi Hendrix" is the first collection of interviews with the Seattle guitar virtuoso.

In an interview with Seattle Sounds, editor Steven Roby says he set out to create as close to an autobiography as possible, letting Hendrix's words speak for themselves.

"This is the first book (about Hendrix) without an author's agenda," Roby says. "My role was to collect and present some of the best interviews Hendrix did at the peak of his career, starting with his first press interview shortly after arriving in England right up until his final interview given the week before he died. It occurred to me this has never been done before. I stood back and let Jimi do the talking in this book."

Roby says what stood out for him most was a noticeable shift in Hendrix from when he first burst on the scene.

"There's just this transformation where he's kind of light and gentle in 1967, just kidding around and having fun. And then he gets really serious in some of the interviews, especially when he's talking with female reporters, he really opens up about his horrible childhood there in Seattle and some of the tough times in the Army and being ridiculed."

Roby says the interviews show many sides of Hendrix, but ultimately betray the many struggles he was facing at the time of his death at the young age of 27 in 1970.

"There's just chaos and confusion," Roby says. "Jimi has the band no more, yet there's a European tour set up. There's demand from the record company for new product, he hadn't had a brand new studio album out for a year or so just a greatest hits package that came out a year before, so there's a lot of pressure on him not knowing what new band to form, where he was going musically."

In addition to a myriad of interviews spanning his career, the book also features a collection of notable Hendrix quotes. Among the most moving and perhaps prescient is a line from his last poem, "The Story of Life," written just days before his death.

"The story of life is quicker than the wink of an eye. The story of love is hello and goodbye. Until we meet again," Hendrix wrote.

Roby says he hopes the book brings a much greater understanding of and appreciation for Hendrix as much as a person as a performer.

"I hope it becomes a historical record," he says. "This is the first time a collection like this has been put together."

Hendrix on Hendrix: Interviews and Encounters with Jimi Hendrix goes on sale Oct. 1.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
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Comments (5)


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  • ron prevost wrote...
    His music is still light years ahead of whatever has come since.
    September 22, 2012 7:25 pm
    Too bad we never had another 42 years of his genius
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  • longwayhome wrote...
    I agree
    September 22, 2012 7:38 pm
    I still enjoy and remember his music, where I was, what car I was driving. Music of the '70s and '80s was great. Going to Dick's drive in, in Bellevue in the summer, sitting there with your parking lights on, drinking beer with your buddies or smoking pot. And then Viet Nam. It's all over after that. Another republican war gone bad. Will the American people ever learn?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    Death Date Sept 18 1970.
    September 22, 2012 7:59 pm
    I was born the next spring. his music is still alive, still interesting to some. he is not the greatest ever, but he was great. Pat Oday was a big influence on him and his friend. Pat is still around, if you ever have a chance to run into him ask about the day he lent Jimmy an amp when Jimmy's was stolen.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • C"mon Man wrote...
    Timeless musical style
    September 22, 2012 8:22 pm
    Also thanks again to Mr. Paul Allen for providing the capital/legal to allow Jimi's family to get Jimi's royalty's from his talent. check out Jimi at Monterey Pop Festival,amazing.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Pressman wrote...
    Best Song...
    September 23, 2012 12:01 am
    Jimi plays Monterey Pop- like a rolling stone- 1970?- My #1 stranded on an island pick...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }