Something classic and historic, although probably not all that rare or unusual this week. Just about everyone who has a passing interest in the music of Jimi Hendrix has probably heard this or the hundreds of other concerts, sessions and outtakes from his well-documented, albeit short, career.
But this concert is a bit different. For one thing, I remember it pretty well, having been the second time I went to a Hendrix concert. The other, this concert was recorded under optimal conditions, for what I believe was to be a live album. The famous Wally Heider Remote recording truck was in plain view and so the sound is pretty spectacular.
The trouble with a lot of historic live performance recordings, particularly in the area of Jazz and Rock is the overabundance of really lousy sounding ones. Usually at the hands of one person with a tape recorder and microphone, both concealed, and a sound that falls somewhere between unrecognizable and tuberculin.
Sometimes, even under ideal conditions, the result is less than successful. Case in point, are the rock concerts from the Hollywood Bowl, which I have run here occasionally (and there are more in line to be run). The technical limitations of the staff and simply no multi-mike mixing has made for some horrific recordings. But the sheer rarity of those recordings makes running them the exception to the rule.
With all that said, here is the famous Jimi Hendrix Experience Concert at The Forum in Los Angeles, recorded on April 26, 1969.
If, for some reason, you aren’t familiar with it – crank this one up.
If you are, you already know what to do.
Get ready for New Years. Get ready for 2024.
I’m pretty sure this is one of the 2 Hendrix concerts I went to. I think a new group called Chicago Transit Authority opened for him
I thought it was Buddy Miles opening for him??
I think the group “Bread” opened,then CTA( Chicago),then Hendricks. I sat about 20 rows back. Seems like Jimi was dressed in purple or his headband was purple. A lot of police along the stage from what I remember. Jimi killed as usual. Crowd was bored till he started his set…full house @ The Forum,wish I had brought my camera.
We were late arriving, didn’t see the first act, but had tickets about 20 rows back, too. CTA was just coming on when we sat down. I don’t remember how the rest of the audience reacted, but me and my date were blown away by Chicago. Course we were then blown into orbit by Hendrix.
It was CTA,Bonnie,Delaney and Friends, then Hendrix
A band named Cat mother opened the show then Chicago then Jimi.Hendrix,I saw Jimi at the Forum in 68. The best concert i ever attended!
Cat Mother and The All-Night News Boys.
Fantastic show. What’s the source of this recording, one of the bootlegs?
Hi – honestly, I don’t remember. It had to have been at least 20 years ago via a collection I got hold of, which included a number of other things. I’m glad you like it.