Have You Ever Been To Electric Ladyland?

The first rock album I ever bought was Jimi Hendrix "Electric Ladyland."  I was about 16 years old, in high school, learning how to play the guitar and needed some inspiration behind learning how to play.  I remember the first time I saw Jimi Hendrix on tv.  I was about 6 years old, watching a documentary on PBS about Woodstock, and I sat in the dark under my Barney the Dinosour blanket watching this random documentary on Jimi Hendrix.  I was able to notice he was not in love with music, he was in love with the guitar. 

When I was younger and this crossed over to adulthood I always wore a Jimi Hendrix shirt.  I thought I was the coolest person going to school, church, and walking around with my guitar because I felt that I was Jimi Hendrix.  I actually for a period of time in my life idolized Hendrix, when Youtube first came out I was always watching him, and just admiring how he played the guitar.  The funny part is I never heard a Jimi Hendrix song until I was about 16.  I remember listening to random songs, the commercial of him playing the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock, and just random clips of him playing. 

The first time I listened to "Electric Ladyland" I was a bit let down, because I wasnt really listening to the music.  Many years after buying the album, I must admit I am mesmerized by this album.  The album presented a pendulum swing in an opposite direction in rock music.  Many who were alive at the time that did not understand the "rock star" lifestyle saw rock as novelty music and "Electric Ladyland" changed the platform for many rock artist on the mainstream.  Jimi Hendrix spoke with his guitar, there was no need for a rhythm guitar when he played.  The album was the only album Hendrix had complete control from a creative standpoint.  This album was supposed to be the beginning of a new era in rock music, but unfortunately it was the apex for Hendrix and it was the end.  For the first time in music an instrument was more influential than the lyrics of an album.  This is something no other musician has ever done in music since Electric Ladyland. 

Years later I can now understand the premise of an album like "Electric Ladyland."  Years later I see it as a concept album.  The concept was to showcase Jimi Hendrix not only as a guitarist but as an artist, and that his artistry exceeded beyond playing the guitar.  We know Jimi Hendrix as one of the greatest guitarist who has ever lived, but I do not think he wanted to be remembered as the greatest guitarist.  Hendrix put more emphasis into lyrics, cohesion, and transistioning himself from "Jimi Hendrix Cool Guitarist" to "Jimi Hendrix Artist."  The sad part is Jimi Hendrix will be better known as a guitarist, but after listening to "Electric Ladyland" I think he wants to be known as an artist, the album was supposed to be the beginning of something spectacular, but you know how the story goes it had to end.