Jimi Hendrix Accomplishments

Jimi Hendrix Jimi Hendrix -- one of the most influential rock artists ever, whose talents brought him up to the pinnacle of fame and fortune, only to fall, brought down by his tragic flaw. At the young age of twenty-seven, Hendrix let his flaw, drinking and drugs, get the best of him, and he died at the peak of his career. Hendrix once said, “I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.” Although his career was cut short, he still is remembered today for his ability to unleash his inner emotion and capture the hearts of his audience. Johnny Allen Hendrix was born on November 27, 1942, to Al and Lucille Hendrix. Shortly after their wedding, Al left on a three year military leave,
James had a ukulele that his father had found in a garage, and James taught himself, by ear, to play Elvis Presley songs. After five years, Al bought James an old, acoustic guitar for five dollars. “Hendrix earnestly applied himself, playing the instrument for several hours daily, watching others and getting tips from more experienced guitarists, and listening to blues artists” (Jimi Hendrix, Wikipedia). In 1958, Lucille died, and instead of going to the funeral, Al instructed his boys to drink a couple shots of whisky, telling them: “That[s] how men [are] supposed to deal with loss” (Hendrix, Al). This early exposure to alcohol and the idea of an adult telling him he’s supposed to do it only added to the later problems of alcohol. After a couple years in the military, he was discharged and began his music career. He joined a couple of bands, including The Isley Brothers, The Upsetters, and Jimmy James and the Blue Flames. After a couple years with Jimmy James and the Blue Flames, James auditioned before judges and they saw potential, and made a band for him called The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Playing in a prestigious nightclub in London, he blew away everyone, including John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Mick Jaggers. Some of his most popular early hits were: Purple Haze, Hey Joe, and the Wind Cries Mary.
From the influences his parents had on him and through his own choices, Jimi became an alcoholic. "Alcohol would later be the scourge of his existence, driving him to fits of pique, even rare bursts of atypical, physical violence" (Jimi Hendrix Wikipedia). The effects of over drinking became apparent on Jimi, as he began to sleep less and do more drugs and to try to cope with his drunkenness. Hendrix began doing drugs, mostly psychedelics, mostly LSD. In 1969, Hendrix got into more drunkenly fights, went to court for burglary, and sent one of his girlfriends to the hospital after hitting her with a vodka bottle. In May, he was arrested for possession of heroin on his bags, and it apparently stressed him. “The incident proved stressful for Hendrix, and it weighed heavily on his mind during the seven months that he awaited trial” (Jimi Hendrix Wikipedia). However, he was acquitted from the charges. On September 17, 1970, while he was with a girlfriend, they drank wine, and at 3 a. m., went to sleep. At 11 a. m., she woke up to find him unconscious. He was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead after an hour. The cause of his death was said to be overdose of a sleeping pill called Vesperax. He had taken 18 times the dosage. Another cause of death might have been alcohol intoxication. “I have never seen so much wine. We had a sucker that you put down into his trachea, the entrance to