Ray - Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack Book

Going into this book I didn't know much about Jimi Hendrix. I had heard a couple of his songs but I had never done a deep dive into his music or life. Jimi Hendrix is one of the biggest rock stars ever. His influence is still being felt 50 years after his death, and to think that the height of his career only lasted 3 years. With the bulk of his most famous performances happening within a 18 month stretch. That's a whole lot of influence in a very short time.

Going in a had some preconceived notions about Jimi Hendrix. Despite being a rock legend to the wider world, Jimi isn't really talked about in the Black community. The biggest Black rock star of maybe all time isn't ever talked about by Black people.

Its bizarre and sad.

And that was something that bothered Jimi as well. He was crushed by the fact that when he looked out into his concert crowds it was filled with white people. Jimi loved being Black and he loved Black music and Black culture but that love wasn't returned. I must admit that I was one of those Black people who didn't really care for him. I thought based on the little I knew that he was one of those Black people who got famous and turned his back on his culture. It made me feel bad to know that the opposite was true.

Jimi Hendrix was a deeply talented and nice person. Literally no one had anything bad to say about him. Were some people jealous of him(cough Mick Jagger cough)?

Yes!

But even they said he was a good guy. I've read enough biographies to know that its rare for someone that famous to stay a good person.

I listened to Jimi's music while I read this book and while its not really my type of music. I could hear all the artists that he influenced mostly I heard were Prince got some influences from him. I don't think you need to be a Hendrix fan to enjoy this biography or even a fan of rock music. I think people who like to read about American grit would love this book, because Jimi Hendrix came from nothing and single handedly made himself a rock God!

A Must Read!