[h=2]Jimi Hendrix still rocking out at 70[/h]
[h=3]New music from the vault due in Hendrix renaissance[/h]
By Mark C. Brown 22 hours ago
Whenever a milestone date in rock ‘n’ roll comes along, fans can’t help but wonder “What if?”
What if Jimi Hendrix, who was born 70 years ago today, had not died at 27 and was still creating music? Which contemporaries would he be comparable to today?
Paul McCartney at 70 is still playing stadiums with epic 30-plus-song sets spanning five decades of songs and making new music.
Woodstock contemporaries like Country Joe McDonald (also 70) no longer fill clubs, much less stadiums. But a lot of people 70 or in that range thrive. Crosby, Stills and Nash (and sometimes Young) still produce relevant music and blistering performances. Joe Cocker (who is only 68) is playing European arenas. Barbra Streisand can do whatever she wants and people will pay to see it. Carole King just wrote an acclaimed autobiography. Lou Reed recorded with Metallica. Brian Wilson and Al Jardine just completed the best Beach Boys tour in decades. Peter Tork and Mike Nesmith are touring with the Monkees and Hendrix famously opened for them in 1967. Aretha Franklin, Roger McGuinn and even Police man Andy Summers are 70 this year.
Forbes put Hendrix at #9 among the top-earning dead celebrities in 2011, with $7 million. That’s because the Hendrix estate (under the name Experience Hendrix) has spent decades getting control of his music and keeping it alive.
It worked. Hendrix classics still blast from every college dorm. “Valleys of Neptune” from 2010, the last major release from the Hendrix vault, was better than it had any right to be (especially the superb vinyl pressing).
Now we’re getting another Hendrix renaissance. His Woodstock performance is doing a limited run in theaters right now. More importantly, “People, Hell and Angels” hits stores on March 5 – another set of 12 unheard (though possibly on bootleg) songs remastered by the Hendrix crew, including Jimi’s ace producer Eddie Kramer.
So "What if?"
Elvis Presley would have had another creative spurt. Janis Joplin would probably have had one too. And Hendrix certainly wasn't done. Fans can't wait till the new album comes out in three months.
Meanwhile, keep reading for a full track-listing and analysis of each song on “People, Hell and Angels.”
[h=3]New music from the vault due in Hendrix renaissance[/h]
By Mark C. Brown 22 hours ago
Whenever a milestone date in rock ‘n’ roll comes along, fans can’t help but wonder “What if?”
What if Jimi Hendrix, who was born 70 years ago today, had not died at 27 and was still creating music? Which contemporaries would he be comparable to today?
Paul McCartney at 70 is still playing stadiums with epic 30-plus-song sets spanning five decades of songs and making new music.
Woodstock contemporaries like Country Joe McDonald (also 70) no longer fill clubs, much less stadiums. But a lot of people 70 or in that range thrive. Crosby, Stills and Nash (and sometimes Young) still produce relevant music and blistering performances. Joe Cocker (who is only 68) is playing European arenas. Barbra Streisand can do whatever she wants and people will pay to see it. Carole King just wrote an acclaimed autobiography. Lou Reed recorded with Metallica. Brian Wilson and Al Jardine just completed the best Beach Boys tour in decades. Peter Tork and Mike Nesmith are touring with the Monkees and Hendrix famously opened for them in 1967. Aretha Franklin, Roger McGuinn and even Police man Andy Summers are 70 this year.
Forbes put Hendrix at #9 among the top-earning dead celebrities in 2011, with $7 million. That’s because the Hendrix estate (under the name Experience Hendrix) has spent decades getting control of his music and keeping it alive.
It worked. Hendrix classics still blast from every college dorm. “Valleys of Neptune” from 2010, the last major release from the Hendrix vault, was better than it had any right to be (especially the superb vinyl pressing).
Now we’re getting another Hendrix renaissance. His Woodstock performance is doing a limited run in theaters right now. More importantly, “People, Hell and Angels” hits stores on March 5 – another set of 12 unheard (though possibly on bootleg) songs remastered by the Hendrix crew, including Jimi’s ace producer Eddie Kramer.
So "What if?"
Elvis Presley would have had another creative spurt. Janis Joplin would probably have had one too. And Hendrix certainly wasn't done. Fans can't wait till the new album comes out in three months.
Meanwhile, keep reading for a full track-listing and analysis of each song on “People, Hell and Angels.”
