What do you think?
Rate this book
Jimi Hendrix: Electric Gypsy
September 18, 1995, marks the 25th anniversary of Jimi Hendrix's untimely demise. To commemorate this event, the authors have revised and updated over 200 pages of Electric Gypsy, the record of Hendrix's legacy as the music world's most talented guitarist.
784 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1990
18 people are currently reading
712 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 8, 2011
This was clinical. It has some pretty crucial details and dates, but the writing is a bit uninvolving.
I'm a fan of Jimi Hendrix and his music; this book is a good guide to go back and check dates and the gear he was using ... but I don't recall particularily ENJOYING the act of reading this book.
He had an interesting life but his music to me is so otherworldly and brilliant that the details about who he was screwing, what he was high on just pales in comparison. His Mother passed away when he was a teenager and she inspired a lot of his most beautiful songs like "Angel":
Angel Came Down From Heaven Yesterday
She Stayed With Me Just Long Enough To Rescue Me
And She Told Me A Story Yesterday
About The Sweet Love Between The Moon And The Deep Blue Sea
He was a paratrooper too, I thought that was very cool. It runs counter to what I am sure the majority's perception of him was, as a person in the public eye, back then.
I'm a fan of Jimi Hendrix and his music; this book is a good guide to go back and check dates and the gear he was using ... but I don't recall particularily ENJOYING the act of reading this book.
He had an interesting life but his music to me is so otherworldly and brilliant that the details about who he was screwing, what he was high on just pales in comparison. His Mother passed away when he was a teenager and she inspired a lot of his most beautiful songs like "Angel":
Angel Came Down From Heaven Yesterday
She Stayed With Me Just Long Enough To Rescue Me
And She Told Me A Story Yesterday
About The Sweet Love Between The Moon And The Deep Blue Sea
He was a paratrooper too, I thought that was very cool. It runs counter to what I am sure the majority's perception of him was, as a person in the public eye, back then.
March 8, 2013
This book is another well researched biography on the life and music of Jimi Hendrix. Electric Gypsy covers Hendrix unhappy childhood in detail. The author also explores the mob connections to Hendrix management that the author hints could be linked to Hendrix death. The back of this book features a well researched reference section containing details on Hendrix recordings which collectors will find helpful. The author explores Hendrix set lists for various shows and why and how his music was evolving. A good read but some opinions of the author are added where no opinion would have been just as well received by the reader. Some parts of this book are written with more supposition than fact though all in all Electric Gypsy is a book worth exploring.
January 21, 2020
Take my advice, don't vomit when you are totally unconscious from the effects of drugs. I've done it myself, and it's not a good idea.
However....Jimi's cause of death has been questioned. One explanation that explains the forensic evidence is that Jimi Hendrix was restrained, wine forced down his throat until his thrashings ceased. All of this must have taken place quickly, before the alcohol had time to enter his blood stream. The post mortem report states that the blood alcohol level was not excessive, about 20 mg over the legal drinking limit. He died before his stomach absorbed much of the wine. Jimi choked to death. That much of the general understanding of his demise is correct, and little else. It is also little known that Jimi's manager was one Mike Jeffery, who was a one time military intelligence operative!
See 'The Covert War Against Rock' by Alex Constantine.
However....Jimi's cause of death has been questioned. One explanation that explains the forensic evidence is that Jimi Hendrix was restrained, wine forced down his throat until his thrashings ceased. All of this must have taken place quickly, before the alcohol had time to enter his blood stream. The post mortem report states that the blood alcohol level was not excessive, about 20 mg over the legal drinking limit. He died before his stomach absorbed much of the wine. Jimi choked to death. That much of the general understanding of his demise is correct, and little else. It is also little known that Jimi's manager was one Mike Jeffery, who was a one time military intelligence operative!
See 'The Covert War Against Rock' by Alex Constantine.
November 21, 2009
he was a wounded soul,,
June 8, 2012
I have read many Hendrix books, stories, but this was the best
March 29, 2013
I'n not a fan of electric guitar rock nor of the rock world in general, (cock rock comes to mind) but read this bio out of curiosity to see how life begins for rock musician/singers. I was interested at first but it got very technical in places about his guitar playing as his life story progressed, and I found it difficult to understand the personality of Hendrix, this may be the fault of the author more than the subject himself. I still haven't finished it but come back to it now and then to see if anything has developed on from the self-indulgent drug taking and charmed lifestyle that was Jimi Hendrix's life, a life which seemed to slide from one rock gig to the next,and from one fuck to another, with little of the down-to-earth practicalities that the rest of us have to deal with in life. Then again, one feels this sort of lifestyle is being fed to us as justification for the 'genius' being idolised in the book. I must try to finish this one, it's also a huge compendium of his music and song-writing and other pieces that he collaborated on, to add weight to the argument. The fact that 'The Experience' band members were treated very badly in terms of royalties after his death by his Estate does nothing to improve the stained reality of this biography.
April 18, 2016
The book did its job in that it made me more interested in Jimi Hendrix. That being said... it's a little too in depth, the intense detail might be tedious to many readers, for me I was a bit bored with the info on sexual exploits – what he was like in bed, what he did to specific women – I didn't need to know all that. But that can be overlooked... What made me uncomfortable was that quite a lot of anecdotal evidence is offered up as fact – sans research, footnote, endnote or asterisks in most cases. That unfortunate tendency isn't something I can ignore in an historical biography. Could do with more analysis. There are some perceptive insights offered, some that are silly. So: enjoyable for the most part – but take it with a grain of salt. The appendices and discography are thoroughly researched, though probably due for an update.
December 16, 2007
This is a comprehensive look at the life of Jimi Hendrix. I read this when I was around 13 or so. It was probably the longest book I'd ever read at that point, but I remember really enjoying it. The book covers all the personal aspects of Hendrix's life and discusses in detail how he got started in England, how he met up with his band mates, and their subsequent adventures on the road and in the studio. I'd recommend this as the go-to biography for any fans of one of the most talented, and, by all accounts, friendly and charismatic musicians of the past century.
November 9, 2007
I read this a looooong time ago, for a "smart kid" class I had in Jr. High. (who knew?!) Our assignment was to read a biography.
I remember it being at least 800 pages long and being quite inappropriate for a 12 year old. It was books like these that really raised me; made me "grow up". I went through a 60's psychedelic rock phase and Hendrix was a god to me. I really cannot remember what could have filled up so many pages. I own a copy that I haven't touched, so maybe I'm due for another flip-through.
I remember it being at least 800 pages long and being quite inappropriate for a 12 year old. It was books like these that really raised me; made me "grow up". I went through a 60's psychedelic rock phase and Hendrix was a god to me. I really cannot remember what could have filled up so many pages. I own a copy that I haven't touched, so maybe I'm due for another flip-through.
June 27, 2016
En skikkelig murstein av en bok. Skal være den beste av bøkene om Hendrix. Mest for fans, men også for de som er interessert i hvordan det var å være stjerne på slutten av 60-tallet.
Leste boken mest for å finne ut hvordan han ble så god på gitar. Uten å spoile for mye - han hadde til og med gitaren med i sengen i tillegg til å spille så fodt som hele sin våkne tid etter han fikk sin første gitar som 16-17 åring.
Veldig godt gjennomarbeidet. Til og med appendiks med lister over alt utstyret han og de andre i bandet brukte, oversikt over alle konserter, familietre m.m.
Leste boken mest for å finne ut hvordan han ble så god på gitar. Uten å spoile for mye - han hadde til og med gitaren med i sengen i tillegg til å spille så fodt som hele sin våkne tid etter han fikk sin første gitar som 16-17 åring.
Veldig godt gjennomarbeidet. Til og med appendiks med lister over alt utstyret han og de andre i bandet brukte, oversikt over alle konserter, familietre m.m.
July 17, 2017
I must have read about twenty books or so on Jimi Hendrix and this one is the best. Throughly researched, well written and no nonsense. Quite a read, but this is the one to go for if you're looking to learn more about one of the geniusses of 20th century music.
As additional reads I recommend the books by Eddie Kramer (Setting the Record Straight) and Mitch Mitchell. Both were close collaborators of Jimi Hendrix and developed a true and kind understanding of the man and his art.
"I stand up next to a mountain...and chop it down with the ledge of my hand"
Rest in peace, Jimi.
As additional reads I recommend the books by Eddie Kramer (Setting the Record Straight) and Mitch Mitchell. Both were close collaborators of Jimi Hendrix and developed a true and kind understanding of the man and his art.
"I stand up next to a mountain...and chop it down with the ledge of my hand"
Rest in peace, Jimi.
September 21, 2016
This book was very insightful and interesting. I love Playing guitar and I'm a huge fan of Jimi Hendrix so this book was great for me! I learned a lot of things i didn't know about Jimi Hendrix that was very interesting. I learned that he had a tough childhood and lived a very short life because of his use of drugs but he was still a very talented guitar player. Overall i really enjoyed learning more bout Jimi Hendrix and reading about stuff i love to do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2008
Gigantic sprawling bio on the great electric guitarist. This is as comprehensive a book on Jimi as you'll find anywhere. I could've done without the conspiracy theories tied in to Jimi's death, but other than that if you like all things Hendrix this is the book. Move over Rover and let Harry Shapiro take over.
September 28, 2016
Brilliant biography, thorough the use of first hand interviews, letters and pictures a very detailed insight is provided. Filled with all the interesting facts a Hendrix fan would care to know. RIP James Hendrix, a true icon and legend!
March 29, 2018
Voluminosa, particolareggiata, enciclopedica biografia di Hendrix che è anche un caleidoscopico affresco dei sixties che se non li hai vissuti, almeno puoi sentirne le pulsazioni. Uno dei migliori libri di musica che abbia mai letto
February 23, 2008
the best bio on jimi hands down!
March 1, 2008
One of the best Hendrix biographies I've read. Incredibly detailed, including session notes. A great portrait of the chief architect of modern rock guitar.
Read
October 22, 2008I learned that Jimi was truly a muse, a divine instrument to push the boundaries of music into new realms and make magic possible.
Read
August 2, 2011a tragic end to a life that changed music forever
February 19, 2012
This was such an good insider's view into the world of my all-time favorite musician. Highly suggested for even the casual fan.
Read
June 20, 2016caeser has first hand experience of Jimi in Scandinavia in the sixties which helps make this book very insightful
October 14, 2017
Everything you would ever want to know about Jimi Hendrix.
February 1, 2018
Really tough read considering I'm a true Hendrix fan. Still if you are searching for a detailed account of Jimi's history not covered by Wikipedia it may be a resource.
February 28, 2023
The Best Jimi Hendrix Biography
This book is the best, most in depth biography of Jimi Hendrix. It is exceptionally well written and has so much detail that you come away with a very clear understanding of the man, his profound vision and perspective on life plus what he saw as his life's mission, his transcendent approach to music and playing the guitar, and also the rather naïve and reckless aspect of his character which ultimately led to his untimely death. The book walks you through his life almost like you are with him along for the journey, and his last years are especially well documented. You also gain a very good understanding of the music scene and business of the late 1960's. The book helps you to understand what a pure creative force Jimi Hendrix was and what a profound influence he had upon the counterculture and rock music in his time - and also how deep his loss was felt afterwards, a loss which continues to be felt now and has never quite been replaced.
I highly recommend reading this book if you love/are interested in Jimi Hendrix, rock music, the 1960's and the counterculture, or biographies in general.
This book is the best, most in depth biography of Jimi Hendrix. It is exceptionally well written and has so much detail that you come away with a very clear understanding of the man, his profound vision and perspective on life plus what he saw as his life's mission, his transcendent approach to music and playing the guitar, and also the rather naïve and reckless aspect of his character which ultimately led to his untimely death. The book walks you through his life almost like you are with him along for the journey, and his last years are especially well documented. You also gain a very good understanding of the music scene and business of the late 1960's. The book helps you to understand what a pure creative force Jimi Hendrix was and what a profound influence he had upon the counterculture and rock music in his time - and also how deep his loss was felt afterwards, a loss which continues to be felt now and has never quite been replaced.
I highly recommend reading this book if you love/are interested in Jimi Hendrix, rock music, the 1960's and the counterculture, or biographies in general.
February 21, 2024
Super well written. Especially liked how some specific events are reflected from people who had different memories of similar events. Feels well researched, especially with the huge catalogue in the back of references, details of all concerts, releases, movies and even gear used by members of the Experience.
June 28, 2020
I really enjoyed what I read of this, which was several sections until I lost it. This is an extremely detailed and well researched book, which was at times a little longwinded. I would like to have another look at it, and would recommend it.
September 11, 2021
The guitar talent of his generation/ever, given his short but blazing career write up. From my Medium review at: https://medium.com/music-voices/the-r...
August 14, 2022
biyografi okumak hic huyum degildir ama sahafta bulmusken alip okumaliydim yani jimi jendrix cunku?? 4 veriyorum bunun kesinlikle jimi hendrixle bi alakasi yok tamamen benim okuma aliskanliklarimdan dolayi garip geldi
Want to read
February 28, 2023___________________________________
FROM BOOK: Jimi Hendrix (Matteo Guarnaccia)
FROM BOOK: Jimi Hendrix (Matteo Guarnaccia)
August 14, 2019
The book is actually outstanding.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews