Jimi Hendrix Trivia

His larger-than-life persona and never-before-seen guitar antics shot Jimi Hendrix to one of the most prominent artists of the 20th century. And even decades after his death, new music is still being released and fans, scholars still pour over the details of his life and tragic death.

We’ve collected twelve of our favorite rare & unusual pieces of Jimi Hendrix trivia for your enjoyment.

His Entire Career Lasted Under Four Years

History of The Wah-Wah Pedal

The wah-wah guitar effect that Jimi Hendrix popularized was developed in the mid-1960s by engineers at Vox trying to electronically imitate the muted trumpet sound.

“Ezy Ryder” and Easy Rider

Hendrix’s “Ezy Ryder” was directly inspired by the landmark 1969 counterculture film Easy Rider, starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper as motorcycle-riding antiheroes.

Jimi & Neil Young Stole a Pickup Truck

On the way to Woodstock in 1969, Hendrix and Neil Young, along with lawyer Melvin Belli, ended up commandeering a pickup truck just to make it to the festival grounds in time.

Electric Lady Studios

Hendrix opened Electric Lady Studios in New York City on August 27, 1970. At his request, the space avoided right angles to create a more organic and immersive feel; the studio remains active today.

Fired for Flashiness

Hendrix was fired from several R&B and soul groups — including the Isley Brothers, Little Richard, King Curtis, Don Covay, and Curtis Knight — often for being too flashy, late, or improvisational on stage.

Jimi’s First Electric Guitar

Hendrix’s first electric guitar was a Supro Ozark 1560S, which his father bought him in the late 1950s. He would come to prefer Fender Stratocasters, but also played a Gibson Flying V and an SG Custom.

That Burining Guitar Shot was Once in a Lifetime

The iconic photo of Hendrix burning his guitar at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival was taken by 17-year-old Ed Caraeff, snapping the last frame left on his camera — despite never having heard of Hendrix before the show.

Jimi Lost the ‘AXIS: Bold As Love’ Master Tape

In late 1967, Hendrix accidentally left the Side 1 master tape of Axis: Bold As Love in a London taxi. The album’s release nearly stalled until engineers were forced to remix the entire side from backup tapes overnight.

Hendrix and Miles Davis Almost Recorded Together

Hendrix and Miles Davis had plans to record together in 1969. Along with Miles, Hendrix sent a telegram to Paul McCartney on October 21, 1969, inviting him to play bass. McCartney was on holiday and never received the message.

How The Animals Made Hendrix

Chas Chandler, bassist of The Animals, discovered Hendrix in New York, convinced him to move to London, changed his name from Jimmy to Jimi, secured “Hey Joe” as his debut single, and managed him until the Electric Ladyland sessions.

There’s Still Years of Unreleased Hendrix Music

In interviews around the 2010s, Hendrix’s sister Janie, who runs his estate, mentioned they had “enough for another 20 to 30 years” of releases, and in later comments pushed that figure to about 50 years when accounting for studio outtakes, live recordings, alternate versions, and concert tapes.

How did Jimi Hendrix have so much output when his career was so short? He became popular enough fast enough to both build his own studio & tour less days out of the year, so he had more time to spend recording and making music.