Did You Know

Jimi Hendrix the greatest guitarist and all around musician of all time in my opinion. Possibly second only to the Beatles only because they were first. Years ahead of his time pioneered things on the guitar that can never be recaptured. From his genius lyrics to style of playing etc. Well before I was born this man changed the music world forever. To this day still reaches people with his unique wisdom for embellishing feelings into music. A very hard thing to accomplish. Yet not that much different from me and you. Born without the extra luxuries in life battled his way with music to be the greatest music icon of all time. I read how his mother was an alcoholic and apparently showed little interest in him as a child. How from a very early age his yearning for guitar became almost unbearable. In watching footage of him its not to hard to realize from his demeanor that he was shy. At least in a one on one kind of serious topic kinda way. Which I think was why his music was so greatly expressed when he played. He was comfortable on stage or whenever he was playing music. Funny how many said he always seeked a sense of approval from society. How he would push the envelope in whatever the challenge might be." Example" If you thought 50 decimals was loud he would go 60. Get the point?  Never realizing he would ultimately set the standard for every wanna be guitarist in the world. Setting the bar so high in fact it will never again be reached. Maybe copied but never as unique. All to often there are comparisons to Stevie Ray Vaughan. I don't compare cause they are both truly great in their own way. Besides if you understand music and history at all. Then you would know that Jimi cant be outdone cause he did things first. That's nobodies fault or mean that anymore musicians cant be as good. Just an unbreakable record. Like Tony Dorsetts 99 yard run from scrimmage. Cant be broke because you cant go any farther from scrimmage and he did it first. Some maybe able to run that distance faster and look more flamboyant doing it. Still..you get the point I hope. Hendrix to me is just a very interesting character. If you know anything about music then you would agree. Sure there are downfalls to him cause like us he was very much human. His drunken woman abusing antics and run ins with the law don't take away from anything he did musically. Despite popular belief he wasn't even well liked or popular. Often shutout and ignored by society. Lucky for him being cool by worldly standards awards you no points in the area of talent. Which makes him as we like to say "Cool" The same could be said for Stevie Ray Vaughan if you know anything of his persona. Not exactly Mr.Suave. Like a Tom Brady or someone."Not taking anything away from Brady cause every guy would like to be him for a day". Just saying those aren't the characteristics that were a part of Stevie's and Jimi's mystique.Which added all the more influence behind their playing. Both great musicians. Both died early,alone,and before their time. Great art in music is not achieved through Hollywood persona's and easy lifestyles of living. If all you have ever known is the sweet than you could never relate to the sour. Acceptance and rebellion go hand in hand sometimes. For Jimi I think acceptance was achieved not only through musical talent, but through his rebellious behavior. Which in its own way makes me appreciate life on a whole different level. I just like to take the time to remember this legend. Even though I'm from a generation of music that's well..is something to be desired. Some good but eh. For the true musicians out there you get it I know. Music greats like Jimi keep us humble in our own little achievements in music. At the same time inspire the will to express through music what life didn't give us in social skills. Whether its in a lyric or bent guitar strings,piano,drum set,saxophone or whatever instrument or melody you prefer. Thanks to all the greats we were able to learn from!!