Which bands did Jimi Hendrix play with?

Jimi Hendrix was on the circuit as a sideman in bands for years before developing his own solo career, where he was seemingly perpetually reinventing his bands. So the number of bands Jimi Hendrix played in and with can seem intimidating! Bluescentric put together this handy guide for which bands Jimi Hendrix played with, both solo and as a sideman (below).

Jimi’s Solo Bands

Jimmy James and the Blue Flames

1966

Jimi’s first true band as frontman, in New York’s Greenwich Village. this was the period of his early Cafe Wha? residencies.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

1966–1969

Members:
Jimi Hendrix – guitar/vocals
Noel Redding – bass
Mitch Mitchell – drums

This is the band many people know, from his three biggest albums. The band was formed in London with his manager Chas Chandler of The Animals.

Released Are You Experienced (1967), Axis: Bold As Love (1967), Electric Ladyland (1968).

Split in mid-1969.

Gypsy Sun and Rainbows (a.k.a. “Woodstock Band”)

1969

Members:
Jimi Hendrix – guitar
Billy Cox – bass
Mitch Mitchell – drums
Larry Lee – rhythm guitar
Juma Sultan & Jerry Velez – percussion

This is the short lived band that played the famous Woodstock set, August 1969.

“We decided to change the whole thing around and call it Gypsy Sun and Rainbows. For short, it’s nothin’ but a Band of Gypsys”
– Jimi Hendrix

Band of Gypsys

1969–1970

Members:
Jimi Hendrix – guitar/vocals
Billy Cox – bass
Buddy Miles – drums/vocals

This is the band Jimi famously debuted at his legendary show at Fillmore East on New Year’s Eve 1969/70.

Released Band of Gypsys live album (1970). Dissolved by early 1970.

The “new” Jimi Hendrix Experience / Cry of Love Band

1970

Members:
Jimi Hendrix – guitar
Billy Cox – bass
Mitch Mitchell – drums

This was the band that toured in 1970 until Hendrix’s death on September 18.

Jimi Hendrix’s Sideman Positions

Prior to 1966, Jimi Hendrix played as a sideman to a number of now-legendary bands, with long-running rumors of the gutiarist often getting fired for upstaging the frontmen & general rockstar behavior.

1962–1963 — The Velvetones (short stint)
Local group he played with in Seattle before joining the Army.

1963 — Army service band, The Casuals
Played guitar during his paratrooper days at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

1963 — King Kasuals
After leaving the Army, he played R&B guitar with bassist Billy Cox in Nashville.

1964 — The Isley Brothers’ backing band
Toured and recorded with them (“Testify”).

1964 — Curtis Knight & the Squires
Studio and live work in New York; some early recordings later re-packaged without his consent.

1964–1965 — Little Richard’s band, The Upsetters
Played briefly, but was fired for upstaging Richard.

1965 — Joey Dee and the Starliters
Short-term guitar work.

1965 — Curtis Knight (again)
Continued on and off session/touring.

1966 — Jimmy James and the Blue Flames
His first true band as frontman, in New York’s Greenwich Village. Played Cafe Wha?, residencies.