A couple of days ago, the PBS show American Masters aired the new documentary on the legendary and influential Jimi Hendrix. The documentary, 'Hear My Train Comin', does a great job of covering Hendrix's life and music. For those young and unfamiliar with the work of Hendrix, the film is a must.
"Hear My Train A Comin'" traces the guitarist's remarkable journey from his hardscrabble beginnings in Seattle, through his stint as a US Army paratrooper, unknown sideman to R&B stars such as Little Richard, Joey Dee and the Isley Brothers through to his international stardom. Illustrated by interviews with Hendrix and illuminated with commentary from well-known friends and musicians including Paul McCartney, Noel Redding, Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cox, Eddie Kramer, Steve Winwood, Vernon Reid, Billy Gibbons, Dweezil Zappa, Dave Mason as well as revealing glimpses into Jimi and his era from the three women closest to him Linda Keith (the girlfriend who introduced Jimi to future manager Chas Chandler), Faye Pridgeon (who befriended Hendrix in Harlem in the early 1960s) and Colette Mimram (one of the era's most influential fashion trendsetters who provided inspiration for Hendrix's signature look and created such memorable stage costumes as the beaded jacket the guitarist famously wore at Woodstock). The film details the meteoric rise of the Experience, the creation of his groundbreaking music, the building of Electric Lady Studios, his state of the art recording facility in Greenwhich Village and concludes with poignant footage from his final performance in Germany in September 1970, just 12 days before his death at age 27."
You can watch the entire documentary on PBS website now.
