Brief History

There was so much happening in 1969 that a little thought in Jimi’s head went almost unnoticed

In the tumultuous world in which he lived there was hardly time for such things, but he did hold a place to describe his nascent vision to a few people he thought might care, and who he thought might become sounding boards to help him refine it. Jimi played and thought from his heart, embraced an almost magical child-like universe in his inner consciousness, and deeply felt the suffering of others and the insoluble conflicts of the world. It was only natural for a mind and heart like Jimi’s to want to speak to the misery of the brokenhearted, not just in the metaphors of his lyrics and songs and in the healing universal power of music itself, but in real, on-the-ground charity, based on the incredible drawing power he had miraculously achieved on the stage. He wanted to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. In his quiet way he felt that he had been given a gift far surpassing anything he imagined he deserved and sincerely believed he must return the fruits of this gift to those who had given it to him, and of course to the infinite divine energy from which it all sprang and to which he referred again and again in his metaphors and public comments.

And so it was born in 1969, without a name and without a home, an idea and desire which would eventually reach the ears of Al Hendrix and linger in his own heart until 1988, when he could finally bring Jimi and his life’s work back home, and grant his son’s heartfelt wish to put his name and public recognition to charitable good, by establishing the Jimi Hendrix Foundation.

(* As recounted by Dave Weyer from a 1969 conversation)