Legends
never die. We’re reminded of this every time the remnants of great artists like
Buddy Holly, Janis Joplin, and Bob Dylan continue to influence our culture.
Most performers aspire to make an impact like those of the greats, but in a world
where fame can be so easily attained, it’s far more difficult to achieve such
stature. One must have finesse, a willingness to push the boundaries so much
that society won’t know whether to accept or reject him. Few musicians are able
to denote the sentiment of their generation in an era. Even less do so in a
single performance, but one artist, who went by the name Jimmy James, did the
near impossible. In 1967, he made his debut reappearance in America after
attaining fame in the UK. It was during his performance of “Wild Thing”, at the
Monterey Pop Festival, that a formerly known Jimmy James revolutionized
American culture by innovating the electric guitar, and channeling the mantra “Sex,
drugs and Rock n’ Roll,” transforming him into the legendary Jimi Hendrix.
America
had heard rumors of the Jimi Hendrix Experience but until the Monterey Pop
Festival no one quite understood the entity who was Jimi Hendrix. It’s apparent
from his stage presence as he introduces the last song that he embodies his
generation in looks and mannerisms alone. From his gypsy inspired style to his sedated
persona, the sixties were notorious for hippies, drugs, living free and dying
hard and Jimi covered it all. He was infamous for his drug use and even alludes
to his partying ways before he shocks the audience with the last performance of
the night. He generates cheers from
the crowd as he claims he’s not out of his mind, but may have been the previous
night. Hendrix’s drug usage reflected the time, but oddly enough, may have also
prompted his novelty performances.
The
rumors from the UK spoke of a man who revolutionized the electric guitar.
Hendrix had pushed the limits. He’s noted for developing the infamous “fuzz”
effect, as well as experimenting with distortion, but it wasn’t just what he
played, it’s how he played. He was known for playing with his teeth, behind his
back and most notoriously for sacrificing his guitar at the end of
performances. But until the Monterey Pop Festival no one had ever captured Hendrix
on video.
With
his performance being filmed, finishing the night with the previously recorded
“Wild Thing” secured his place in cultural history by further exhibiting his
talent as a musician. Originally covered by The Troggs, “Wild Thing” takes a
more profound meaning with Hendrix’s rendition. The song is no longer about
being in love with someone, but rather something,
the one thing that would enable him to revolutionize music, his guitar. One of the most captivating parts of
Jimi Hendrix’s performance, at the festival, is the bond with his instrument. His
passion for playing unerringly turns him into a “wild thing.”
He
has an inexplicable connection distinctive from any other artist who’s ever played.
From the moment he lifts his guitar, he’s on an evidential high. As the
spotlight sets on him, he gives the audience a taste of his new assemblage. His
“fuzz” effect rings out among the crowd, as the new contemporary sounds of
distortion fill the venue, the audience watches Hendrix maneuver his body to accentuate
his playing. He thrusts his hips as the static roars from the amps.
There’s
an undeniable sexuality Hendrix contrives on stage. His entire performance symbolizes
a sexual bond that he builds throughout the song. He’s not just connecting with
his guitar, but connecting with the audience using his music as a medium. He
wants the audience to climax, and everything he does leads to the ultimate
ending. Straddling his guitar, still embodying the music, he erotically pumps
lighter fluid on the guitars surface and sacrifices it in the name of love. As
the flames grow, Hendrix embraces the moment, watching the fire burn he picks
up the flaming guitar and smashes it on stage until it breaks. At that moment,
Jimi Hendrix proves that Rock n’ Roll isn’t a genre of music, it’s a lifestyle.
A lifestyle he lives and embraces to the fullest.
As the camera spanned the audience, everyone looked completely stunned by Hendrix’s performance of “Wild Thing.” Most people
stood in shock, debating his sanity. Little did they know they had
just witnessed one of the most vital breakthrough performances in history. The fact
that Hendrix didn’t improvise or languish while performing is what made such an
impact. He didn’t hold back. He returned from the UK in full force and gave us
a new take on music while establishing himself as a novelty. Decades later,
musicians are still synthesizing Hendrix’s practice.
Had
Jimi Hendrix not come along, someone would have eventually discovered new ways
to innovate the electric guitar, but no one would have had the same impact on
culture. To this day, Hendrix remains in a class of his own when it comes to
wailing out a song. His guitar playing was art, whether it’s because he
made a statement as one of the first black men to play music typically associated
with white males, or because it was a marvel to watch Jimi’s self-destructive behavior
enact through his performances. He didn’t have an alter-ego. He was a rock
star, and lived the life he portrayed onstage.
No comments:
Post a Comment