Jimi Hendrix FAQ: All That’s Left to Know About the Voodoo Child / Gary J. Jucha
Backbeat Books / 978-1617130953 / 363 pages
I’ve been a listener of Jimi Hendrix’s music for several decades. However, anything beyond the bare basics of his life and career – just facts picked up here and there — remained mysteries to me. So I was excited to learn of The Jimi Hendrix FAQ.
The Jimi Hendrix FAQ is an illuminating collection of pieces on the various aspects of Jimi’s life and music. It’s arranged in a roughly chronological manner, starting off with his early life, going through his musical career and right on up to — and beyond — his death.
Though titled a “FAQ,” it isn’t actually in question and answer format. The chapters are topically-organized, though, with many photos, and Gary Jucha’s manner of writing is engaging.
Here is what Jimi was like as a young man, how he developed his interest in music and what he did with his life before devoting it to rock and roll. Here are chapters about the best recordings and estate releases, Electric Lady Studios, his cultural effect, Woodstock, business issues. There are girlfriends and groupies, his entourage. His performances and relationships with other musicians and bands, including the Noel Redding, Monkees, The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and bob Dylan among many others – are also explored.
There are quite a lot of photos, all in black and white. (Some color photos would have been appreciated as well.)
If your appetite is whetted for more about Jimi, there’s a bibliography for further reading ideas.
After reading through The Jimi Hendrix FAQ once, I’ve already returned several times to re-read some parts again — there’s a tremendous amount of information here, really too much to take it all in in just one reading. It’s the kind of book you can pick up, flip to any page, and find something interesting.
The Jimi Hendrix FAQ is now available at Amazon, and bookstores.
Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided to Empty Mirror by Backbeat Books.
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