Experienced: On the Road with Jimi Hendrix and Beyond

by Eric Barrett, Lawrence Robinson (Primary Contributor)

Jimi Hendrix road manager and confidante Eric Barrett breaks fifty-five years of silence, revealing what it was like to live inside the rock legend’s orbit—at Woodstock, on the Isle of Wight, at a Toronto drug bust, and in the private moments when Hendrix let his guard down—set against the backdrop of Barrett’s full rock ’n’ roll career . . . a rock odyssey for the ages.

As Jimi Hendrix’s road manager, Eric Barrett was there when the amps blew out in Milan, when Hendrix unleashed fire at Woodstock, when paranoia set in at the Toronto airport, and in the quiet hours backstage when Hendrix revealed the insecurities behind his genius. Hendrix confided in few people. Barrett was one of them.

No one was closer to Hendrix’s supernatural talent—or his demons.

Experienced is Barrett’s long-awaited, unflinching the definitive inside account of Hendrix as friend, bandleader, and phenomenon. It strips away the mythology to reveal the man in all his musical wizardry and human contradictions—volatile, generous, insecure, incandescently creative, and always in pursuit of the next sound.

While his journey with Hendrix provides the book’s spine, Barrett’s decades on tour with David Bowie, Madonna, George Michael, and others add depth, parallels, and a sweeping sense of how Hendrix’s short life set the template for rock ’n’ roll excess—and survival—through the decades. The result is not just another rock memoir, but a once-in-a-lifetime backstage history of music’s most transformative years, told through the prism of Barrett’s ride on Hendrix’s incandescent rise and tragic fall.

Genres: Music

288 pages, Hardcover

Published August 4, 2026

Reviews

[George Kanakaris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful book to read by Jimi's roadie. Who doesn't know the iconic photo of Eric behind the amplifiers at the Royal Albert Hall? It is well organized, with regular chapters about his work with others, Lenny Kravitz, David Bowie, Madonna, and more.
Despite the fact that his time with Jimi was more than five decades ago, there are very few mistakes or errors. I found only one: Jimi played not two, but four shows at the Fillmore East with the Band of Gypsys. Eric probably meant 2 days instead of 2 shows.
What makes this book unique compared to others is his sometimes emotional testimony about his friendship with the global star. Many fans might want more details about technical trivia, but that is not what this book is intended for.
I had hoped to find more photos, though, but that is of course wishful thinking from an old fan.
What about this from the book , is this cool or what.
'When I was managing tours for Lenny Kravitz, he was very close friends with
Denzel Washington. The first time Lenny introduced me, he said, “This is my tour
manager, Eric.” Denzel nodded. Nothing more. Polite enough but obviously not keen to
engage. Then Lenny added, “He used to be Jimi Hendrix’s roadie.”
Instantly, Denzel’s entire demeanor changed. He pushed me in the chest and
exclaimed, “Get the hell out of here!” He then vigorously shook my hand and asked me a
ton of questions about Jimi. He couldn’t have been more effusive. Suddenly, I’d become
cool enough for a movie star to get all excited about.
That’s what Jimi’s name could do.'

[Ginni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable account of the brief but eventful period when the author was road manager for Hendrix.this seemed to me an honest account of life as a roadie at this time, and there’s as much sex, drugs and rock and roll as you could expect or wish for. Barrett was more than just a roadie - he was a friend, confidante and crisis manager. And there were many crises…Hendrix comes across as a gentle soul, very different off stage to his ‘wild man of rock’ persona when performing, and ultimately for me sad, lonely and exploited by his shady manager. There is also coverage of the author’s time as tour manager for such stars as David Bowie, Madonna, Aerosmith, James Taylor and many others; he was obviously very good at his job, much in demand and trusted by his clients.
I bought the L.P. ‘Are you experienced?’ in 1967 - I have it still, unplayable I’m sure but a reminder of listening to this incandescent guitarist at such an exciting time of life and music. Thank you Jimi.

[David Garrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this audiobook with the slight glimmer of hope that the author might mention Jimi's August 17 1968 Atlanta concert (evening show) where I saw and met Jimi. The author didn't talk about this one but I understand as the author mentioned the multitude of tour concerts in '68 that just ran together without having distinction.