Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Jimi Hendrix's Black Beauty

The Guitarist

Jimi Hendrix was born Johnny Allen Hendrix on November 27, 1942, in Seattle, Washington. His named was later legally changed to James Marshall Hendrix in memory of his older brother who died at an earlier age.

For a relatively short period of time, from signing up with Chas Chandler in 1966 until to his untimely demise exactly 42 years ago in September 18, 1970, Hendrix personified the term "guitar hero" and revolutionized guitar playing in a manner that shook the rock world to its foundations.

He has his share of admirers and detractors but there's no denying that people still listen to his music for inspiration, even after his untimely demise. His musical genius was way beyond his time. The showmanship, braggadocio and over-the-top nature of his live performances were unheard of during his era.

As a testament to his talent and influence, Rolling Stone magazine gave him the #1 spot on their list of the Top 100 Greatest Guitarists of All-Time in 2003. Hendrix also was posthumously inducted to the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, and in the UK Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.

The Guitar

Black Beauty is a 1968 Fender Stratocaster with black finish, white pickguard and a maple neck. Its serial number is 222625, the neck is slim and the fretboard is of standard Fender radius of 7". It was one of several Fender Stratocasters that Jimi owned.

What makes it unique is that Black Beauty was actually Jimi Hendrix's favorite guitar, even more so than his other equally legendary guitar, the 1968 Olympic White Fender Stratocaster known as the "Woodstock Strat", which he famously played during the seminal 1969 Woodstock Festival.

Hendrix himself named the guitar "Black Beauty".


Hendrix played Black Beauty in several live performances, most notably in the Isle of Wight Pop Festival on August 31, 1970, and was his first choice to pick up whenever he jams with other musicians. Initially though, Jimi was hesitant to play Black Beauty on stage and was instead content to play the guitar during practice. Eventually, he started playing Black Beauty at memorable gigs during the later part of his career. Black Beauty was the last guitar Hendrix was seen to have played during his live concerts prior his untimely demise.

Black Beauty was taken into possession by Jimi's girlfriend Monika Danneman after his demise in Monika's London apartment just 18 days after the historic Isle of Wight Festival. According to her, Jimi had played Black Beauty on the night prior to his death.

The current whereabouts of Black Beauty is subject to speculation.

It is generally believed that the guitar had been in Monika's possession since Jimi's passing, kept unplayed in its case for more than 20 years. But after her death in 1996 via carbon monoxide poisoning, the guitar was said to be passed on to Uli Jon Roth, the former lead guitarist of German rock group The Scorpions. Monika and Uli had been in a relationship after meeting in the mid-1970's, lasting until her death.

Here’s a video of Jimi Hendrix performing an amazing version of "All Along The Watchtower" at the Isle of Wight Festival with Black Beauty, August 31, 1970.



Photo sources:
www.univibes.com
www.strat-talk.com

31 comments:

  1. Uli Roth has it. Hope Janie Hendrix gets it back ASAP!

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    1. I agree, never understood how just because a guy dies in your room does that mean you own his guitar?

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    2. Janie Hendrix has a strangle hold on anything Hendrix despite not actually being Jimi's sister and only meeting him once when she was a child for a brief time. Give the guitar to Jimi's brother Leon.

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    3. So Danneman's estate keeps it in a safe?!

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    4. Yes, not Uli but the Dannemans, now Janie can go to court.

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  2. Thanks for sharing the information of electric guitars to know more about electric guitar you can check over here

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  3. Why the heck does Janie deserves it?

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    1. She is in charge of his estate, that seems more legit than happened to be in a relationship with the woman that killed him.

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    2. Because she is not the stupid groupie who let Jimi die then lied about it for 50 years. SMH

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  4. You need to educate yourself further. Jimi would have never wanted things as they are.

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    1. I 100% agree @ JimiFan
      Janie is a money hungry ignorant idiot.

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  6. Have you seen then crappy small Hendrix display in Seattle? Until you do, don’t suggest Janie deserves anything.

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    1. The EMP? A whole museum was started for Paul Allen's Jimi Hendrix collection.

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  7. Q: Have you seen then crappy small Hendrix display in Seattle?

    A: Umm.. maybe the display is crappy and small because people like Uli took possession of Hendrix's property from hangers on like Monika (the last person to see him alive). Maybe if non related people would give Jimi's family his things instead of being greedy the display could be improved.

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  8. The guitar belongs to Jimi's family, the rightful owners of his estate.

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  9. The guitar should be easy to find and returned to the family...she had no right to keep it just because she was sleeping with him and he died at her place...pretty shitty if ya ask me...

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  10. We're all just keepers of our guitars. I think it's in the hands of a good custodian(Uli)
    Better than letting Jimi's brother get anywhere near it...oops...did I say that out loud?...yup

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    1. It would probably be sold or pawned if that was the case unfortunately.

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  11. Wow Jimi and Monika were very close Im sure Jimi would not care and want here to have it. Uli and Monica were also very close for years.Uli is a over the top Hendrix admirerer and Jimi is clearly his main influence through out his career on a bunch of different levels.I am glad the the family got the rights to his music that should keep them good for years.The whole thing is sad and after Monicas suicide i am glad Uli has it he deserves a keepsake to remember them by. Rest in Peace Monica & Jimi.

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  12. It baffles me people can be so selfish and think they know where this guitar actually belongs. "You People" must not be paying any attention because there is only 1 place this guitar truly belongs......with me!!! ... Uli, if you're reading this, feel free to drop it off anytime! So glad I'm able to put everybody's worries to rest! You're all welcome!!

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  13. Actually, I think the guitar should be with Jimi in his grave.

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    1. Wow....I love that idea, especially since he always had one on him. Even while sleeping.

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