Jimi Hendrix: Why He Desrves World Recognition
Jimi Hendrix is one of the greatest and influential guitarists in rock history. During his career, he revolutionized the sound of rock, and changed it greatly. Hendrix was a major influence in music and with his beliefs. Jimi Hendrix was a positive influence on the world, and his music and views continue to inspire many people. Jimi Hendrix was born in Seattle, Washington on November 27, 1942. Throughout his childhood, his family dealt with financial problems, and he was sometimes put in the care of friends and family. By the time he was nine, his parents had divorced, and was occasionally sent to live in Vancouver, British Columbia with his grandmother. Around the age of fifteen is when he started to pursue his love of music. His first acoustic guitar was given to him for five dollars, and he immediately began to learn to play by listening to records, and through tips from other players. In 1959, his father bought him his first electric guitar. Hendrix’s main influences were Elvis Presley, blues music, such as the Muddy Waters and B.B. King. Another big influence came from the western movie “Johnny Guitar” because the main character is a hero that doesn’t carry a gun, but only a guitar. Jimi Hendrix has had an obvious contribution to society in music. But many people don’t know that he also contributed by joining the army. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and was stationed in Kentucky. Unfortunately, after a year, he was discharged because during his twenty-sixth parachute jump, he broke his ankle. Secondly, and more importantly, his greatest contribution was his advances in music. He furthered the range of the electric guitar, establishing it as a unique source, rather than amplified guitar, and blended many styles of his voice and his guitar style. Along with other bands during his time, he furthered the development of hard rock, heavy metal, and blues. Hendrix’s contributions to music can not be overstated, and without a doubt, they still