Why Jimi Hendrix ?

Question

Why is Jimi Hendrix so over rated?... the best thing he ever did was burn his guitar on stage... and i don't see how that makes him great, maybe if he could had played better he would have been remembered for his PLAYING not what he did with matches.
What do you think?

I have been playing guitar for about twenty years. so its as a musician, that i ask this question......

Answer 1

He was a good blues guitarist, but when he got mixed up with the hippies, he lost it. His performance at Woodstock was incoherent.
Instead of being remembered as a man who was at home with his instrument, he'll be remembered as the guy that picked his teeth with the guitar and vice versa.

He'll never be rated up there with Plant.

Answer 2

I think it's all a matter of opinion. What you like may not be what someone else likes. For instance, there are a lot of "artists" if you will, from both past and present that I just can't understand how they've aquired their fame.

But that's the beauty of it, man. Diversity ROCKS! Cool huh? Imagine someone knocking an artist that you think just kicks. It's just their opinion.

There are a lot of Hendrix fans, past and present, young and old alike that loved/love Jimi that would say that Jimi IS remembered for how he played. That the burning of the guitar was either irrelevent to what made him, or maybe even that it was a little something extra for entertainment. Some have even labled him as a "Guitar God".

Regardless, the fact remains that he is higly respected by many for how he played, his lyrics and so much more than just the burning of a guitar. Do a little research and you'll find that Hendrix inspired some of the most prolific artists of our time. John Mayer was inspired by Stevie Ray Vaughan, who was inspired by Jimi Hendrix. And that's just a couple of top names. There's so many more and perhaps, maybe even a artist that you think kicks may have been inspired by Hendrix too.

Basically, what works for someone else just ain't jivin' for you. ie ~ Jimi Hendrix

JMHO ~ {:-p
Cindee

Answer 3

I think you know nothing about music, let alone famous guitar players, if you don't already know that Jimi Hendrix is best remembered, first and foremost, for his playing. He wrote incredible songs, and did things with the guitar that nobody until then had done. His influence will continue to be felt for a very, very long time. ANY musician, guitar player or not, can tell you that.

In response to your additional details, all I can say is if you've been playing for the last 20 years, and you're still not aware of the impact of Hendrix' legacy, you must have been locked inside your room the whole time with no contact with fellow guitar players at all. You don't have to like his music or even learn to play LIKE him, but you really should study up, ask around, and appreciate his standing in the world of modern rock guitar. Any halfway serious player who says they aren't influenced by Hendrix, either directly or indirectly, are either lying, or they play country music.

Answer 4

Try living with his name and being a white guy. My son's name is Jimi Hendrix, (James M. Hendrix) to be exact. I even have the etching from Jimi Hendrix's grave site. Hendrix was good and he was bad. It was that time when music and drugs were the thing to do. He will always be a legend for what ever reason because it was his time...

Answer 5

The thing about Hendrix is you have to think about what he did BACK THEN. If he were to be around today, he'd be, lets be fair here, an average player.

But in the '60s NOBODY was doing or playing the kind of stuff Hendrix was. He was groundbreaking in his writing and methods. He did things with a guitar nobody had ever dreamed of up to that point.

I'm hoping your question was asked out of ignorance (ignorance is not a derogatory term, take no offence) and not just to be facetious.

Hope I could help you with your outlook.

Answer 6

Jimi Hendrix is legendary. He set the standard for countless rock artists which followed. His guitar licks pushed the boundaries of what had been accepted for rock then. He played with so much passion and with exacting precision, that he usually blew everyone off the stage.

To see him live was incredible. You couldn't believe someone could play like that. Check him out in "Woodstock" on a big screen with speakers turned up loud, and you get a sense of what I'm talking about.

So many bands and artists owe him a huge thanks. Too bad he died early - No telling what his later music would have been like.

Answer 7

First, jimi hendrix did know how to play his guitar. listen to all along the watchtower, purple haze and other classics.

Second, it's not that he just had the skill, he was an innovator. nobody played the guitar like he did before him. he used different techniques, at that time innovations in the field, like phasin and echoes to obtain his specific sound. Just because they are more common nowadays doesn't substract from his importance.

And Third, who would you rather go see? One lame ***, play the gig and then get out band, or jimi "play my burning guitar with my teeth" hendrix?

Answer 8

Jimi Hendrix is NOT over-rated. He's under-rated. He is remembered for PLAYING his guitar and I've never heard about matches. Ever heard him play the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock??? That's just the shitt!!

Answer 9

Hey dumbass, have you ever listened to Jimi seriously ? He was an innovator, Do you remember anyone pre '67 who did what he did ? He could play anything and could do it with his teeth, his toes or behind his back. Jimi experienced with the electric guitar like no one before him. No one has come close to him either. He has been praised by all the greats, especially Eric Clapton.

Answer 10

maybe if he could had played better he would have been remembered for his PLAYING not what he did with matches


huh? he IS remembered for his playing more than his stage presence. in 4 short years he completely turned the world of guitar upside down into another dimension. clapton, mccartney and srv were just a few of his biggest fans. just smoke a joint and listen to electric ladyland or band of gypsy's from start to finish and report back to us...

Answer 11

Your kidding, play his music and find out. Name one artist whose a great guitarist and can sing. they wouldn't survive or they disappear into obscurity. All the great guitarist today when they complete their tracks on a song, eg Van Halen have the same ending, predictable not Jimmy Hendrix. He's not over rated and yes he is rated as a great guitarist.