James Marshall Hendrix

James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (27 November, 1942, Seattle, Washington – 18 September, 1970, London, England) was an American musician, songwriter and guitarist, widely hailed by fans and music critics as the most influentia

James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (27 November, 1942, Seattle, Washington – 18 September, 1970, London, England) was an American musician, songwriter and guitarist, widely hailed by fans and music critics as the most influential electric guitarist of all time.

Jimi Hendrix's first guitar was a one string ukulele, yet Hendrix figured out many different ways he could make noise and almost music with it. Mostly self-taught on the instrument, the left-handed Hendrix used a right-handed guitar that was restrung and played right side up. As a guitarist, he built upon the innovations of blues stylists such as B. B. King, Albert King, Buddy Guy, T-Bone Walker, and Muddy Waters, as well as those of rhythm and blues and soul music guitarists like Curtis Mayfield. Hendrix's music was also influenced by jazz; he often cited Rahsaan Roland Kirk as his favorite musician. In addition, Hendrix extended the tradition of rock guitar: although previous guitarists, such as The Kinks' Dave Davies, and The Who's Pete Townshend, had employed techniques such as feedback, distortion and other effects as sonic tools, Hendrix was able to exploit them to a previously undreamed-of extent, and to incorporate them as an integral part of his compositions.