Born in Seattle
James Marshall Hendrix is born in Seattle, Washington, to Al Hendrix and Lucille Jeter.
First Guitar
Al Hendrix buys 15-year-old Jimi his first acoustic guitar for $5. He teaches himself to play by listening to blues records.
First Band
Joins his first band, The Velvetones, followed by The Rocking Kings.
Joins the Army
Enlists in the US Army, joining the 101st Airborne Division as a paratrooper. Meets Billy Cox.
Discharged from Army
Receives honorable discharge after ankle injury. Moves to Tennessee with Billy Cox.
Chitlin' Circuit
Works as sideman for Little Richard, Isley Brothers, King Curtis, Ike & Tina Turner, and Sam Cooke.
Moves to London
Chas Chandler discovers Hendrix in NYC and brings him to London. Forms The Jimi Hendrix Experience with Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell.
Hey Joe Released
First single 'Hey Joe' released in UK, reaching #6 on the charts.
Purple Haze Released
Purple Haze released, reaching #3 in UK. Introduces the famous E7#9 'Hendrix chord'.
Are You Experienced
Debut album 'Are You Experienced' released in UK, spending 33 weeks on charts.
Monterey Pop Festival
Legendary US debut at Monterey Pop Festival. Sets guitar on fire during 'Wild Thing'.
Axis: Bold as Love
Second album released, featuring 'Little Wing' and 'Bold as Love'.
All Along the Watchtower
Records definitive version of Dylan's song. Dylan later adopts Hendrix's arrangement.
Electric Ladyland
Double album masterpiece released, reaching #1 in US - his only chart-topping album.
Royal Albert Hall
Historic performance at London's Royal Albert Hall, one of his best-recorded concerts.
Woodstock
Closes Woodstock festival with legendary 'Star-Spangled Banner' performance.
Band of Gypsys Debut
New Year's Eve performance at Fillmore East with Band of Gypsys. Records 'Machine Gun'.
Band of Gypsys Released
Live album released, showcasing funkier direction with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles.
Electric Lady Opens
Electric Lady Studios opens in NYC - Hendrix's dream recording facility.
Isle of Wight
Final major performance at Isle of Wight Festival, weeks before his death.
Death
Jimi Hendrix dies in London at age 27 from asphyxiation.
Hall of Fame
Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Receives Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Greatest Guitarist
Rolling Stone names Hendrix the greatest guitarist of all time.