So when did it all start? When did Mick Jagger decide he would be part of one of the most popular bands in the history of the world?

He was born in Dartford, Kent (England) in on July 26th, 1943. Amazingly, he met Keith Richards at the tender age of 4, lost touch, then became reacquainted on a train in 1960. Mick left the London School of Economics to become a rock musician. The Rolling Stones formed between 1960 and 1962. Mick Jagger played the harmonica and was on lead vocals, Keith Richards and Brian Jones on guitar, Charlie Watts played the drums, Bill Wyman on bass. Their style was a mix of blues and rock, combining the styles of Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry.

Mick Jagger Biography: The Early Years

The first album released by the Rolling Stones was entitled, “The Rolling Stones,” in 1964. The band spent the years 1966-1969 touring after they had accumulated several hits in England and the United States. Brian Jones committed suicide in 1968 and was replaced by guitarist Mick Taylor. With his band, they spawned several top hit recordings such as “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction,” “Brown Sugar,” and “Start Me Up.” The Rolling Stones are thought to be one of the most successful rock bands, next to The Beatles.

While recording albums, Jagger was also acting in films. In 1970 he landed roles in Performance, and Ned Kelly. In the 1980’s Jagger was cast in Fitzcarraldo. Jagger was also a highly regarded, jet-setting celebrity, and on the down side, The Rolling Stones as a band was spiraling into increased drug abuse.

Mick Jagger Biography: A Change in Direction

By the time the 80’s had come around, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were conflicted over the direction the band should be headed. Keith wanted to stay to the bluesy rock roots, whereas Mick wanted to head the band into more of a pop, dance direction. The result of this was a solo album by Jagger called “She’s the Boss” released in 1985. The recent onset of MTV was helpful in promoting Jagger’s solo career by airing several music videos from this album. “Just Another Night,” and “Lucky in Love,” were singles that became hits.

Mick Jagger Biography: Personal Life

May 1971, Mick married Bianca Jagger, who at the time was known as Bianca Perez-Mora DeMacias. About a year later, she gave birth to Jagger’s second child, Jade. Jagger’s first child, Karis, was born in late 1970 to fellow musician Marsha Hunt. Mick and Bianca divorced in 1980.

Jerry Hall, an American woman had come into his life in the late 1970’s and was accused of being the reason he and Bianca had divorced. Jerry gave birth to their first child together in 1984, Elizabeth Scarlett, and in 1985 to their second, James. The two were finally “married” in 1990 in Bali. Afterward their third child was born, Georgia May, and then in 1997, Jerry gave birth to Gabriel Luke. Hall and Jagger’s partnership was dissolved in 1999 (due to their original Bali wedding not being recognized under Engligh law) after an affair between Jagger and Luciana Gimenez resulted in yet another Jagger child. This child, Lucas, was born in 1999.

Mick Jagger is one of the world’s wealthiest musicians. After 5 decades of rocking the world, he continues even today. In 2006 he played during the SuperBowl halftime special, and shows no signs of slowing down.

Throughout time many have thought of the great jimmy Hendrix as a master of the rock and a great and outstanding guitar soloist. The big question asked by many people though is “Was he an artist and a great achiever or was he a drug addicted rock star?” He was a little of both but he was more a genius in the world of rock and role. He made the best of the times even though having troubles with the drug addictions and constant addictions to more and more drugs even though he was famous he had his rough share of times just like everyone else. His songs reflected mostly drugs but they became very popular during his time. He was thought as a god in the rock world after many of his songs went global. Some parents didn’t agree with the whole idea but as time went by they cleaned up their act and started appreciating his music and began listening to it. Still today his music is listened to by many people. Even though he has passed his music still lives on through the hearts of many people around the world today.

Jimmy Hendrix eventually died after taking so much drugs but his legend still live on with his family today. He is thought of everyday when someone is thinking about taking drugs. His music is very influential and his effected many people today around the United States. Most people remember though that he died of drugs and in the end they eventually give it up. He is missed by many people today as one person who didn’t care what people thought about him his just loved to play music and please the fans anyway possible by always showing up and playing his great music. He might not be a rocket scientist but he was a genius in the guitar and music field and is admired by many people in bands today. Even some of the great stars looked up to him in many ways because of his great gift that allowed him to play his guitar so well and be able to become famous for many people to hear and see.

Even though he was a drug addict he was truly a genius. Maybe not in the fields of science, math, and english but a truly loved music artist that loved the people and loved his music. He revolutionized the rock business and gave the rock hall of fame a great musical artist and great man of rock. Even though he died of a cause he did he still gave the world a better taste of greatness in the making.

By: Derrick Colt

Jimi Hendrix

Biographical Overview

If ever there was a guitar player who redefined this instrument for anyone who has ever played it before or since, it would be Jimi Hendrix. Jimi’s exceptionally creative, powerful, psychedelic licks helped him reach a musical standard that has never been duplicated, and in his four short years as a recording star he established himself as a musical legend without equal. His performances at the Monterrey Pop Festival which established him as a star, and later at Woodstock were some of the most awe-inspiring in the history of live music, and history will remember Jimi Hendrix as one of the most influential albeit enigmatic and mysterious musicians who ever graced the stage.

Jimi Hendrix was born John Allen Hendrix on November 29, 1942 to James (Al) Hendrix and Lucille Jeter in Seattle, Washington. Jimmy’s father Al, who would be his primary parental force throughout Jimi’s life, was in the Army when Jimi was born. Fearing that Al would go AWOL to go see his newborn son, the army placed Al in the stockade on “general principle” where he stayed for over a month until the army saw fit to release him.

Back in Seattle Jimi’s mother Lucille quickly grew tired of being a single parent and virtually abandoned Jimi during his first few years of life. Jimi, then known as Johnny, first lived with Lucille’s family, but was then placed with a woman named Mrs. Walls who took Johnny in and cared for him.

Al was finally released from the Army in 1945 when Jimi was three years old. Upon arriving back in the United States, Al regained custody of Johnny and promptly named him James after himself. Originally Jimi was known as “Buster” by his family, but at the age of 6 everyone began calling young James “Jimi” which would stick with him for the rest of his short life. Between the ages of 3 and 6 Al raised Jimi with the assistance of Lucille’s Sister Dolores, and Jimi became very close to her children who were being raised in the same home.

When Jimi was 6, his mother briefly came back into Jimi’s life when Al and Lucille attempted a reconciliation. Because there was little work in Seattle at the time, Al joined the Merchant Marines, and while he was away Lucille returned to her old carefree lifestyle, and was kicked out of the housing the Hendrix’s were residing in for having inappropriate male visitors. Upon his return from the Merchant Marines, Al and the family reunited, and Lucille eventually had another son Leon in 1948, who had Asian features and was clearly not Al Hendrix’s son. Lucille eventually had another son Joey by still a different father, and Al eventually divorced Lucille in 1950 as a result of her lack of stability.

Over the next few years Al raised Jimi and Leon with the help of his relatives, and Jimi briefly had another maternal figure “Edna” enter his life, who he grew close to but who was eventually forced to leave the Hendrix home to make room for other relatives. Lucille popped in and out of Jimi’s life during his formative years, and would make extravagant promises to Jimi that she would not follow through on. On February 2, 1958, following many years of hard drinking and frivolity, Lucille passed away at the age of 32 which deeply saddened Jimi.

In his teen years Al Hendrix bought Jimi his first electric guitar which Jimi became so attached to that he slept with it on a nightly basis. Jimi was eventually recruited by a man named James Thomas, and Jimi then became a member of James Thomas and the Tomcats. During this same time frame, Jimi, who had grown disinterested in school, dropped out of Garfield High, and also got in trouble for being in a stolen car. Jimi eventually joined the Army during this period, and decided he wanted to be a paratrooper in the Screaming Eagles like his father before him.

Jimi met Billy Cox while in the Army and the two of them had a great deal in common including musical tastes. While in the army they begin to play a little together, and they formed a friendship and partnership that would later be rekindled when Jimi formed the band Band Of Gypsies.

Following his stint in the Army, Jimi moved down south and began playing the “Chitlin” circuit where he used the stage names “Maurice James” and “Jimmie James” and had some success as a guitar player. Jimi would even play backup on a Supremes record, and in 1964 he played with the Isley Brothers who were also very popular at the time. It was during this period when Jimi met Little Richard, who was a bit of a narcissist, and felt that Jimi’s guitar playing upstaged him and took the focus off him which he felt was a necessary component of the act.

Jimi eventually split with Little Richard and moved to New York City where he at first had little success. After spending some time in Harlem, Jimi settled into the Greenwich Village neighborhood, where he formed a new band called Jimmy James and the Blue Flames. Jimi’s unique improvisational style alienated a number of his fans, while others thought they were witnessing the birth of a genius. One of these people was Chas Chandler, who formerly played base for a band called the Animals who knew when he saw Jimi that he had discovered an amazing new talent. Chas convinced Jimi that he would have more success in England than in the United States, and in 1966 Jimi packed his bags and left the US to live in London.

While in London Jimi met Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding, and the three of them formed the band The Jimi Hendrix Experience and begin touring around England. Jimi dazzled the English crowd, who were alternately shocked and amazed by Jimi, and he was described in the English papers as “The Wild Man of Borneo” which was a kind of racial slur against Jimi’s heritage. The group was very successful, and their first album Are You Experienced produced the songs Hey Joe and Purple Haze which were both big hits on the English rock charts.

Jimi’s breakthrough performance came upon his return to the Unites States at the Monterrey Pop Festival where his use of distortion and feedback on the guitar helped him create a sound previously unheard by American audiences. With the crowd already in a frenzy over his performance, Jimi set his guitar on fire at the end of his set, which further electrified the crowd and created a buzz about Jimi Hendrix that would propel him to the top of the music world.

One important ally Jimi made during this time was Brian Jones from the Rolling Stones, who introduced Jimi at Monterrey and was one of Jim’s first important fans in the world of music. Following his performance at Monterrey, Brian introduced to Jimi to a lot of important people in California, which culminated in The Jimi Hendrix Experience being signed to go on tour with the Monkees who were one of the top drawing bands in the world at this time.

Jimi’s wild style and sexually explicit actions on stage were not well suited to the Monkees crowd, and soon this tour dissolved and The Jimi Hendrix Experience began touring on their own. Over the next two years the band became hugely successful, and in addition to Hey Joe and Purple Haze, produced songs such as Castles Made of Sand, and Bob Dylan’s All Along the Watchtower, which were all big hits for the band. The band eventually produced three hit albums, Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold as Love, and Electric Ladyland which all were huge successes. The band was not without its difficulties however, as Jimi and Noel Redding had difficulties agreeing on several issues related to the band, and in the summer of 1969 the band broke up despite the fact that they were at the peak of their commercial success.

Some speculated that Jimi broke up The Jimi Hendrix Experience because both of his bandmates were white, and that he was receiving pressure from the Black Panthers to make a statement about Black solidarity. Although Jimi did have an association with the Panthers in the 1960’s, he used the standard “creative differences” approach to explain the band’s breakup. But in any case it was apparent that he was hurt by all of the negative press he received following this incident.

Following the breakup of The Jimi Hendrix Experience Jimi began heavily using drugs, and a major turning point came in his life when he was arrested on May 3, 1969 at the Toronto airport for possession of Heroin and Marijuana. Jimi adamantly claimed the drugs were not his, but was rightfully disturbed at the prospect of facing seven years in prison, and thought a great deal about his legacy following his arrest. Jimi was eventually cleared of these charges, but still faced a great deal of inner turmoil as a result of this experience.

In the summer of that year, Jimi put together a group of musicians to play with him at Woodstock, and his performance there was one that helped cement his legend as one of the truly inspired live performers in the history of music. His Star-Spangled Banner on guitar was a huge hit with the fans, and would later become one of the featured scenes in the Woodstock film recordings that were produced at the festival. Later that year Jimi would also play at England’s answer to Woodstock, called The Isle of White Festival, where he also dazzled and amazed his English fans, many of who had been with him from the beginning.

At the end of his life, Jimi reunited with his old army buddy Billy Cox, and they formed the Band of Gypsies, which would be Jimi’s final group. This group had some success, but Jimi was beginning to become fatigued from years of working almost constantly, his continuing drug use, and the anxiety he felt arising from battles with his management, and earnings in the millions that he could not account for.

In September of that year, as the group was touring Europe, Jimi Hendrix was found dead on his hotel room floor as a result of an overdose of sleeping pills that caused him to choke on his own vomit. Jimi’s death was highly controversial however, as some claim he was mishandled by paramedics which caused him to eventually suffocate on the way to the hospital. Jimi’s death has been thoroughly investigated and researched, and despite all of the claims, a coroner’s report confirms that Jimi had been dead for some time when he was eventually found on the morning of September 18th.

The legacy of Jimi Hendrix endures, and many still consider him to be the most unique guitar player that ever lived. His estate has made millions of dollars following his death, most of which was originally hidden from his father by unscrupulous managers of Jimi’s affairs. Al Hendrix and his family eventually won back Jimi’s legacy with the help of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Allen would eventually go on to build a Jimi Hendrix museum called the Experience Music project, which is a major tourist attraction in Seattle Washington.
Analysis
Gender Role Preparation perceived through Gender Guiding Lines and Role Models

Though his interactions with his father, Jimi learned the values of hard work and perseverance that would guide him throughout his life and career. Although Jimi was occasionally portrayed as a spaced-out wild man under the influence of LSD, he was in fact an extremely hard worker who produced an amazing amount of material in his short career.

Jimi’s father also instilled in Jimi the value of perseverance. Through all of his struggles with his wife Lucille, job difficulties, prejudice, etc, Al Hendrix continued to soldier on and raise his boy Jimi, and this lesson was not lost on his young son. This value of perseverance was so strong in Jimi that he practiced his guitar so often and so much that he eventually became a virtuoso. With no ability to read music and no real training, Jimi still managed to teach himself to play the guitar with his right hand despite the fact that he was born left-handed. All of these obstacles must have made the guitar very difficult for Jimi to learn, but through watching his father Jimi learned a man never gives up, and he therefore continued to work tirelessly at learning to play his guitar.

Jimi’s female gender guiding line was much more complex. Although Jimi loved his mother, she disappeared often in his life, and Jimi was well aware of her infidelities towards his father. Later in his life Jimi’s interactions with women appeared to be unstable, and his fear of commitment with women may very well have arisen from watching his mother’s irresponsible behavior.

Jimi’s mistrust of women is interesting to consider with regard to one of the women he was the closest to named Devon Wilson. Devon was a former prostitute, heavy drug user, and party girl who had also been romantically linked to Mick Jagger during the late 1960’s. Devon lived with Jimi at his New Your apartment, handled many of Jimi’s affairs, and was even the subject of one of Jimi’s songs called Dolly Dagger. Like Jimi’s mother Lucille, Devon would often disappear for days at a time and then come back when she was done with her extended binge. The fact that, despite Jimi’s access to so many women, he trusted a clearly irresponsible woman like Devon Wilson to get closest to him, seems to suggest that he may have chosen her because her behavior was so much like his mother’s growing up.
Interpersonal Style perceived through Experience of Family Atmosphere

On the subject of Jimi’s mother, she and Al fought often while Jimi was growing up, and the Hendrix household was often filled with storm and strife when Lucille was around. Watching his mother and father fight so often appeared to affect Jimi’s own relationships with women, as he was on several occasions verbally and even physically violent with women during periods of confrontation.

Jimi also lived in a number of different homes and places growing up, and in this capacity learned not to get too close to people as they may abandon you at any time. One poignant story Jimi himself related involved meeting his father for the first time at the age of three and taking the train from Berkeley to Seattle. Jimi recalled how much he wanted to return to the only “family” he had ever really known, and how odd it was to be taken on a train by some strange man he had never met. This sense of instability was reinforced often throughout Jimi’s life, as a number of people would be significant in his life for a couple of years and then simply disappear, and this appears to have affected Jimi’s ability to trust and get close to people.

Because Jimi was unable to achieve a sense of stability, he developed a shy and introverted personality that caused him a great deal of loneliness. Jimi dealt with painful feelings through artistic expression, and the ultimate capacity of his talent may have been a reflection of the intensity of his painful feelings.
Personal Code of Conduct Perceived through Acceptance / Rejection of Family Values

The family values in the Hendrix household involved obedience to authority and a healthy respect for one’s elders, and although Jimi had respect for his father, he came to distrust authority in his own life. There are many different versions of Jimi’s life with Al Hendrix, many of which paint a picture of a very unhappy home life where Al constantly reminded his children of the sacrifices he had to make for his children. In Al’s own autobiography My Son Jimmy (1999) he talked about how Jimi used to escape responsibility for his actions by blaming misdeeds on an imaginary friend named “Sessy” who Jimmy would evoke when he felt he had disappointed Al. It certainly must have been difficult for Al to raise Jimi by himself, and given the economic climate in Seattle at that time, there’s no doubt that Al must have had to make some great sacrifices for Jimi. Perhaps Jimi’s creation of an imaginary friend was a psychological defense against Al’s disappointment, which seemed to be yet another factor in Jimi’s unhappy childhood.

Another family value that Jimi seemed to reject concerned the family’s views on religion. Although Jimi was raised by a church-going family who believed in worship, Jimi came to believe that his music was a form of great spiritual expression. Jimi rejected the stifling versions of Christianity he learned as a young man, and instead felt music was the way he could connect to the mystical and spiritual side of life.

Music also offered an escape for Jimi from his problems, and was certainly a positive adaptation for him to an unhappy childhood. Jimi often described how music would compose itself in his head, and his unparalleled talent in music may have been a result of this intense desire to escape his emotionally painful cognitions.
Perspective on the World perceived through Experience of Psychological Birth Order

As the first born son in the Hendrix household and the only son sired by his father Al, Jimi developed a sense that he was particularly special when he was a young man. Although Jimi’s younger brother Leon spent a great deal of time with Jimi and his father growing up, he was also often shipped to another family during difficult times. The fact that Jimi was always the one that remained with his father must have made him feel like the “chosen” one much of the time, and he appeared to develop a sense that he was something special. This is not an uncommon reaction from a first born child, as they often receive more attention than their siblings do when they are born, as they become literally the center of their parent’s universe.

For Jimi this situation did not unfold exactly like this, as his first three years were filled with a great deal of moving around that must have confused and frightened him at such a fragile age. The two women that adopted Jimi in these years both referred to his “specialness” however, so one can assume this was something he felt that was further reinforced when Al eventually came and got him following his release from the Army.

Jimi’s biographers (Hendrix 1999) discuss how it was clear to Jimi that his younger brother Leon had a different father than him, and although Al certainly loved and cared for Leon, he must have felt some resentment from having to raise another man’s child. Jimi therefore was the “favorite” growing up, and developed a sense of his own uniqueness that instilled in him a great deal of confidence in his abilities. This confidence was especially relevant in the early stages of Jimi’s career, where audiences often disliked and were unable to understand his unique style of music. Although many artists would have become discouraged in this situation, Jimi was convinced of his own talent, and much of this resolve appears to have its roots in Jimi’s early childhood experiences.
Self Assessment Perceived through Genetic Possibilities

Jimi Hendrix came from a talented family with a long history of performing in front of groups. Jimi’s grandmother was an entertainer who traveled and worked as a singer and performer before her son Al was born, and even prior to this generation music was a strong part of the Hendrix tradition. Jimi’s father Al and his uncle Leon both showed musical talent at a very young age, and both of them could play the piano, sing, and also dance at a young age, and often did so growing up. Jimi therefore appeared to have a predisposition to music that was inherited from the talented Hendrix family.

Jimi developed a stutter at a young age however, and was not confident as a singer and a dancer like the rest of his family. Therefore when Jimi did find a musical instrument to play, it appears that he compensated for his stutter by practicing a great deal on the guitar in an attempt to belong with his otherwise musical family.

Jimi also felt a strong identification with his family’s Cherokee heritage. The extent of Jimi’s Indian blood has been misrepresented often in several biographies that mention the subject. Jimi’s father Al (Hendrix 1999) eventually clarified that Jimi’s great grandmother was a full-blooded Cherokee, but Jimi did feel a strong identification with this portion of his ancestry. Al Hendrix explained that when Jimi and the other children played games like Cowboys and Indians when Jimi was a kid, Jimi always wanted to be the Indian as it helped link him with a part of his Heritage. Jimi created a great deal of art as a child that depicted the Indians conquering the cavalry, and he even discussed later as an adult how he felt a sense of power that came from his Indian blood.

In considering this idea it is fascinating to examine the lyrics from one of Jimi’s big hits, Castles Made of Sand-

“A little Indian brave who before he was ten, played war games in The woods with his Indian friends, and he built a dream that when he Grew up, he would be a fearless warrior Indian Chief. Many moons passed and more the dream grew strong, until tomorrow He would sing his first war song,
And fight his first battle, but something went wrong,
Surprise attack killed him in his sleep that night”

Reading the lyrics to this song which Jimi wrote, one can’t help but wonder how much it reflected both Jimi’s dreams as well as his disappointments. In many ways this song demonstrated the conditions of Jimi’s life, as, despite having “conquered” the music world, he still was very anxious about his life circumstances as a result of his arrest and also the large amounts of money he was missing. Much like the little Indian in the story, Jimi had been blindsided by events in his life, and this song seems to reveal the depths of his unhappiness.
Openings for Advancement perceived through Environmental Opportunities

One important adaptation Jimi made as a young man concerned the first guitar he ever received which Al purchased for Jimi for the price of 5 dollars. Jimi, who was born left-handed but learned to do most things right-handed, changed the strings around on this right-handed guitar and instead played it left-handed which was an adaptation that would eventually have a direct impact on his future musical genius. Jimi learned that by manipulating the instrument like this he could get different sounds out of it, and later as an adult he played his guitars both upside down and backwards which helped him carve out his own unique sound that no one else was readily able to replicate. Because Jimi made this adaptation at such a young age and practiced so excessively, his technique became something that was uniquely his.

Another early experience that shaped the young Jimi Hendrix was seeing an Elvis Presley concert while he was growing up in Seattle. Jimi became fascinated by Elvis’s showmanship, and much of his early artwork produced flattering pictures of the King. Although Jimi was somewhat shy throughout his life, on stage he truly had no inhibitions, and at least some of this he learned from watching Elvis when he was a young man. The impact of seeing Elvis live seemed to awaken in Jimi a sense of the heights a person could reach through playing music, and this rare opportunity was for Jimi a tipping point that helped give birth to his eventual persona as a stage performer.
Range of Social Interest perceived through Other Particularities

One barometer of a person’s mental health can be observed by examining their relationships and interest in the welfare of other human beings. Jimi Hendrix, who appeared to have abandonment issues related to his childhood, and who had also been betrayed by several business associates, therefore seemed to have trouble developing a profound sense of social interest. Although Jimi was often approached about social causes, he seemed to be most comfortable letting his music do his talking for him, and didn’t feel as comfortable as an advocate and leader to promote social change as many of his 60’s counterparts.

In this capacity it is interesting to consider Jimi’s relationship with the Black Panthers as well as the larger issue of racism in the life of Jimi Hendrix. Growing up Jimi watched his father experience a great deal of racism related to finding jobs, etc. and this must have affected the young Jimi a great deal, as a lot of his early artwork depicts struggles for equality and justice. Jimi also experienced racism following his release from the Army when he went to play the “Chitlin” circuit in the Southern United States, where there was clearly different treatment for white and black musicians.

Jimi was eventually discovered a white man Chas Chandler, and found fame and acceptance with two white musicians who were of course Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell. Although Jimi found success in the UK with these two men, he was still mocked by the British papers as “the wild man of Borneo” and with other racial epitaphs that appeared to alternatively mock and praise Jimi. Jimi eventually became known for playing “white” music by some of the more extremist black national groups in the United States, and many speculate it was the Black Panthers who pushed Jimi into eventually disbanding the Jimi Hendrix experience to form an all-Black band. Although there are widely varying accounts as to Jimi’s relationship with the Panthers, it seems clear that Jimi was heavily conflicted about the issue of race.

In terms of social interest, Jimi’s use of escapism through music is also interesting to examine. Music appeared to be the one thing that let him escape painful thoughts and feelings, and it was only when he had to quit playing and deal with other human beings when he seemed to be unhappy. People certainly took terrible advantage of Jimi throughout his life, as he died with only 21,000 thousand dollars in his banking account as a result of people pilfering millions from him over the course of his career. Jimi’s lack of social interest therefore appeared to be based on very real experiences with people in the world, as his early home life and professional career were filled with repeated abandonment, disappointments, and betrayals from those that he thought he could depend on.

Jimi also had a great deal of narcissism, much of which contributed to the development of his music, which was also a defining characteristic of his personality. Many people who had experienced the kind of rejection Jimi had at the beginning of his career would have simply returned to playing mainstream music, but Jimi truly believed that his music was something special despite the negative reinforcement he had received from the New York crowds. A narcissist will often believe his or her own way is not only special and unique, but also better than the way anyone else is doing it, and this was very much demonstrated by Jimi’s creation of his own music.

Although narcissism is often malignant, many exceptionally talented people demonstrate high levels of this trait in their dealings with others, which was certainly true in the case of Jimi Hendrix. When someone disagrees with or challenges someone who is malignantly narcissistic, their reaction may be extreme irritation, and Jimi’s interpersonal relationships seemed to represent this idea. His habitually abusive behavior towards women showed Jimi had a very low tolerance for frustration, and when others, and particularly women disagreed with him, his response to this frustration was very often physical violence.

Jimi’s violence towards women may have also arisen in part from his interactions with his mother Lucille, as Jimi never seemed to develop a healthy respect for women throughout his life. His lack of a consistent feminine presence and maternal gender guiding line growing up must have created some anger in Jimi, and hearing his father’s descriptions of his mother’s life may have also contributed to this dynamic.

Jimi’s life was therefore empty of the kind of social interest in others that many felt was a larger part of the idealism of the 1960’s. Although Jimi participated in some of the causes and issues of his times, his involvement was often at the recommendation of those around him. Jimi’s lack of trust in other people, which had its roots in childhood patterns, was reinforced often throughout his life, and Jimi overcompensated for his lack of interest in others by developing a truly awe-striking ability that allowed him to escape from the world. Although this talent was extraordinary, it seemed to be in part created through the sublimation of his personal pain, and this left Jimi without a path other than music in which to actively experience joy in his life. Jimi’s gift of music to the world was and is a lasting contribution that influenced thousands of musicians both before and after him, but was also in many ways a reaction to a troubled history, and this was the sadness and irony of this truly unique musician.

In May 2006, information was released to the press and public regarding a song that was cowritten by Elvis Presley. The songs were never published or released until now. Paul Terry King recently announced that he, and Elvis Presley, cowrote the songs titled, ‘Rollin’ Up Hill’ and ‘If I’d Only Bought Her Roses’, in the fall of 1970.

Paul Terry King, a songwriter of several popular country and pop songs in the 1960s and 1970s, recently submitted a press release specifying details about the songs. Mr. King claims while working with artists at American Recording Studio in Memphis Tennessee, he worked with Elvis Presley, and cowrote two songs titled ‘Rollin’ Up Hill’ and ‘If I’d Only Bought Her Roses’. Paul Terry King explains that this was several of many recording sessions, one of which produced the hit song, ‘Suspicious Minds’.

Paul Terry King claims that Elvis visited him in Nashville to write other songs, as well. He states that he and Elvis had many conversations about world politics, current events, religion, family and children, marriage and love, and several other subjects.

Mr. King explains that Elvis had an explicit interest in writing music, as well as recording and performing. However, he was unsure about releasing any self published works at the time due to uncertainty as to how well it would do, and how his manager would respond.

However, Mr. King goes on to explain how the songs were created. Elvis came to his home in late 1970. He tells the story that he and Elvis conversed for many hours into the night, and early morning, as several new music works emerged. Mr. King goes on to explain that Elvis was much more talented than people pay him credit. Elvis was a good actor and continued to hope for better and more dramatic roles. He also aspired to develop into a good songwriter as well. The song ‘If I’d Only Bought Her Roses’, is about a man who desires to have another chance with his only love, and wishes he’d done things differently. Note that it is not hard to imagine Elvis in that certain frame of mind with what he was experiencing in his own personal life.

The other song, ‘Rollin’ Up Hill’, is about overcoming life’s obstacles in the midst of a man facing all odds against him. The driving force by which he wins the race is the power of love, which the song clearly communicates.

The song ‘Rollin’ Up Hill’, is the song I was able to hear and sample. There was talk about a Elvis Presley reality series taking place in Las Vegas among various Elvis tribute artists.

The winner receiving prizes and publicity, including the honor of recording the two songs which Elvis cowrote. However, even though the taping of the show was begun in August of 2006, it was not revealed to me the reason why it wasn’t finished.

However, the songs were not recorded by any of the Elvis impersonator’s who attended the rehearsals in Las Vegas. Instead, the songs were forwarded to, and recorded by, William Riopelle, a former Elvis Presley tribute artist, now living in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

William Riopelle, performed as an Elvis Presley tribute artist for several years and performed many places. Of his many experiences, some of the highlights were performing in Las Vegas in the show Legends In Concert, recording a rockabilly tune at Sun Records in Memphis now called Sam Phillips Recording Studio, and being managed by George Klein, a disc jockey in Memphis Tennessee, who was a very close friend of Elvis Presley. Indeed, George Klein, was Elvis’ best man at his wedding, and a pallbearer at his funeral.

George Klein is not a man who typically gets excited about Elvis Presley impersonators. However William Riopelle’s talent was so original and unique, that George Klein made an exception in his case.

William Riopelle, who no longer performs as an Elvis Presley tribute artist, has moved on to other things and has since received various science degrees in college, and an advanced degree in physical therapy as well. Indeed, an Elvis Presley Tribute Artist with a brain! William Riopelle once went by the stage name of ‘Billy Elvis.’

He is said to have changed his name to Billy Detroit at the advice of George Klein, who urged William not to use the name of ‘Elvis’ in his own name. George Klein believed in Mr. Riopelle’s talent enough to get a songwriter to write a demo song for him and request a free recording session from Sam Phillips, the man who discovered Elvis Presley at Sun Records Recording Studio in Memphis Tennessee in 1954. Although the recordings were heard by various recording labels, ultimately they rejected William Riopelle’s works due to the fact that he sounded “too close to Elvis Presley” and they thought the public was not ready, or interested, in an Elvis sound alike.

However, since Elvis Presley’s popularity has not shown any signs of decreasing over the years, and has even increased, the interest in an authentic Elvis Presley sound alike may be beginning to emerge.

Indeed, the public would certainly be interested in hearing a song which Elvis Presley cowrote. I believe the public would be interested in anything that Elvis Presley wrote.

Although there are Presley insiders who would validate Paul Terry King’s story, there are others who would disdain it. Like any controversial story regarding Elvis Presley, it is very likely that you will once again have to be the judge.

A sample of the song ‘Rollin’ Up Hill’, has been made available for free, and can be heard on the Internet by Paul Terry King. Details about listening to the song can be found in the resource box below.

The Presleys were a family of modest means. They lived near family and Elvis was close to his Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Grandparents. While attending the Assembly of God Church, he was exposed to his first taste of music. In 1945 at the age of 10, his first performance was at the Mississippi and Alabama Fair in a talent contest. Within a year Elvis got his very first guitar.

As with many, the Presley family were struggling money-wise and decided to move to Memphis, Tennessee in 1948, hoping for a better life. Things were still hard, both Gladys and Vernon worked as much as they could but they still struggled. Things were so hard Elvis also worked, while attending LC Humes High School to help his family.

Elvis began to develop his own style while in high school. He slicked back his hair and grew his famous sideburns. He won the high school talent competition and even played an encore.

In June 1953, Elvis graduated high school and began working at a mechanics shop. During the summer he made his first demo at The Memphis Recording Service. He recorded “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin” and “My Happiness”. He changed jobs frequently and started to go to night school to be an electrician.

The owners of the recording studio in which Elvis had been making demos, paired him up with some other local artists. While working at Crown Electric Presley had his first recording, contracted with the recording service, released and started to perform at local events and bars. Elvis was even booked on The Grand Ole Opry, although it was dubbed a disaster. He was told not to quit his day job.

Late in 1954 Elvis signed on with KWKH radio for a year. This is when Elvis met ‘Colonel’ Tom Parker. Tom Parker was known to manage other artists including Eddy Arnold and Hank Snow.

Bob Neal became Presley’s manager in January of 1955. This union did not last long. By August Hank Snow Attractions was in control of Elvis’ career. Hank Snow Attractions was owned equally by Snow and Tom Parker. Soon after ,Colonel Parker became in complete control of Elvis, Snow and Neal are no longer connected to Presley.

The new management seemed to work as a benefit for Presley. Colonel Parker sold Elvis’ Sun contract (The Memphis Recording Service) to RCA. Hill and Range Publishing company also got in on the action of the rising star and helped create Elvis Presley Music Inc. Elvis and the publishing company shared ownership of his songs.

Only one year after his first manager signed him on, Elvis began recording “Heartbreak Hotel” with RCA and teamed up with the Jordanaires, a gospel quartet. Presley and the Jordanaires worked together well into the late 1960s.

“Heartbreak Hotel” was released on January 27, 1956. It went to number one on Billboard’s pop singles chart for eight weeks and hit number one on the country chart and number five on the R&B chart.

“Heartbreak Hotel” began Elvis’ road to stardom and fame. The next 20 years were filled with music, movies, military marriage and divorce. Elvis Presley died August 16 1977 due to heart failure. He was only 42 years old.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Celebrities Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

He’s a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has sold more that 90 million records, and performed to over 100 million people globally. He also supports countless charities and founded the Milagro Foundation in 1998, which has given more than $1.8M in grants to disadvantaged children.

He is Carlos Santana.

Today, he is best known the world over for the group that bears his name. However, he was once just like you, an unknown putting in the hard yards and learning to play an instrument he loved. Born in Autlan de Navarro, Mexico, Santana followed in his father’s musical footsteps and took up the violin at age five.

It was years later when his family moved to Tijuana that he began his lifelong relationship with the guitar, the instrument that would make him a musical icon. In 1961, Santana moved from Mexico to San Francisco, and a few years later he formed the Santana Blues Band. The cool, soulful riffs and rhythms of Santana’s Latin-blues based sound were welcomed by an eager audience.

Massive success quickly followed. Santana was soon playing to packed houses around America. He performed on the Ed Sullivan show. And he left an indelible mark on the global music world when he performed at the original Woodstock festival in 1969. He has not slowed down since. His passion has never let up. I hope yours doesn’t either!

If you’ve always wanted to learn to play the electric or acoustic guitar in 30 days - Elmore Music has developed an online site that bypasses hourly guitar lessons so you can learn in the comfort of your own home at the times that suit you best.

To learn more - http://www.guitartips.com.au Chris Elmore is a pro guitarist who has featured on Channel 7 News, produced 3 CD’s, and appeared on Hits FM Radio… as well as perform live on stage to thousands of people. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Elmore

Rock music fans wept from heartbreak on September 25, 1980. On that date, John Bonham, the talented drummer for the band Led Zeppelin, died from symptoms caused by an alcohol overdose, and concluded the reign of music’s greatest heavy metal band. While the story of Led Zeppelin rightfully revolves around the band’s music and their antics on and off stage, Led Zeppelin posters also have a firm place in rock history. The band’s contribution to the image of rock music as portrayed through the band’s posters was monumental. Led Zeppelin took rock and blues influences to new heights with their music, and captured the imagination of a generation with their poster art.

There are so many great Led Zeppelin posters; it’s tough to pick a favorite. Certainly, one of the best would be the Swansong poster art of Apollo (not Icarus) above the runes. The composition is so simple, but the emotional power behind the art is undeniable. Of course, Apollo’s mane of hair makes it a rock poster classic. While the meaning of the runes is still subject to debate this day, depending on your source, the most widely accepted version is that each member chose a symbol to represent them on the album cover. Robert Plant’s symbol of a feather in a circle comes from an ancient mythical Mu civilization, and represents truth for Plant. John Bonham’s rune of the three interlocking circles has a mysterious origin, but Plant has said that he thought it implied the trilogy of man, woman and child (or it was the emblem of Ballantine Beer inverted). John Paul Jones’s symbol of a circle overlaying three ovals represents unity and family. The meaning of Jimmy Page’s “zoso” symbol has not been disclosed to the public.

Some mistakenly attribute the symbols and runes on Led Zeppelin posters to an involvement by one or more band members in cults or alternative religions, and delusional rumors about satanic subliminal messages in the Stairway to Heaven played backwards have been spread for years. Though, these wild accusations often show that their fundamentalist accusers were more warped than the band. While many Led Zeppelin songs do demonstrate an attempt by the band to put people in touch with their spiritual or mystical sensitivities, nothing the band produced conflicted with basic Judean-Christian philosophies. The Led Zeppelin poster “Writhing Angel” should evidence the band’s belief in the struggle of good against evil. Listen to Led Zeppelin yourself. You will find the lyrics to Immigrant Song, The Battle of Evermore and Whole Lotta Love and any others, are just pure rock.

Led Zeppelin hypnotized a generation around the world with powerful rock anthems. They synthesized wild combinations of musical influences and defined hard rock for the 1970’s. Despite the fact that the band has produced a magnificent collection of poster art, it is interesting to note that the “plane photo” poster of the four band members in front of their airplane is still one of the most widely demanded rock music posters. In the same stature as the Beatles and Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin fans will not let go of this band. Their music means too much. In the end, the tremendous weight of success was too much for drummer John Bonham. But even with his passing, we can still buy the Stairway to Heaven. Maybe that’s enough for this life.

In my opinion, Led Zeppelin was the greatest rock band of all time. As I hear the news about the reunion show of Led Zeppelin, and the possible tour, I remember when my friend and I drove from San Diego to L.A. to see Robert Plant for our first front row Robert show. It was great just to see Robert and his band do the Led Zeppelin tunes, I can only imagine how awesome it would be to see him with Jimmy Page on guitar and John Paul Jones on bass doing Zeppelin tunes. Of course, who better than Jason Bonham to play drums.

Although my friend and I were both too young to have caught Led Zeppelin live, we talked about a reunion with Jason Bonham, and eagerly hoped it would some day happen. The rumors say now perhaps it shall. These rumors seem only to be on the rise, with more positive wording each time I hear them. The excitement reminds me of my early Led Zeppelin memories.

In the early Led Zeppelin years, (basically, Zeppelin spanned the seventies), there were many stories in the popular press about Led Zeppelin, parties and substance use. Of course, after the untimely loss of John Bonham, it became politically incorrect to write about the wild party days of Led Zeppelin. No one, including myself, wanted to hear about how Led Zeppelin’s behavior may have contributed to the loss of John Bonham. It just made everyone sad. I still remember what I was doing when I found out the news (my mom has her JFK moment, I have my John Bonham moment).

The day I heard the news of John Bonham was the first time I saw a guy outside my family cry: my 15 year-old next-door neighbor. I was 10 and had a crush on him probably because he could play Stairway to Heaven on the guitar. Do you remember how in the 70s and early 80s all the guitarists always wanted to play Stairway to Heaven? It was even in the movie, Wayne’s World, when Wayne goes to play guitar in the guitar store. He only gets a few notes into it when the store employee points to the sign on the wall “Absolutely, no Stairway.”

So now, here we are in the twenty-first century and I am again getting excited about the idea of getting a chance to see Led Zeppelin live. I know it is not a sure thing, but the band’s representative, Harvey Goldsmith, won’t rule it out. In addition, all of the reviews I have read of their December 10, 2007 show were very positive. Having watched all of the Utube videos of the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute concert, I must agree that the performance was as good, if not better than expected (backpackdave has some of the better sound with the footage, in my opinion).

Robert was a showman, as ever. I think his voice sounded better than it did the last time I heard him on tour with Jimmy in 1995. The first song, Good Times, Bad Times was awesome, and rocked hard! Ramble On came next, and considering it was Jason on drums, it was one of the best versions I have heard. Actually, I think Jason plays it as well as anyone could have, John Bonham included. Black Dog rocked hard as the second tune, In My Time was bluesy as ever, but brief, while For Your Life was long and raw. For Your Life was my favorite of the first half; and, there’s a multi-cam view version which is pretty hot.

By the time Trampled Underfoot got going, you could tell Led Zeppelin was really warmed up. In Nobody’s Fault But Mine Robert played harmonica, which was super cool. No Quarter was a long, trippy rendition, which led right into a super-bluesy, Since I’ve Been Loving You. Dazed and Confused was kinda short and led into the most played rock tune of all time, Stairway to Heaven.

In The Song Remains the Same, Robert was great on his crooning vocals. Misty Mountain was next, and then they finished it off with one of the most well-known get-in-the-mood songs, Kashmir (remember the reference in the movie, Fast Times at Ridgemont High).

Fortunately, they played a two-song encore, with Whole Lotta’ Love and Rock and Roll. We heard all of Jimmy’s guitar mastery working off of Robert’s moaning vocals in Whole Lotta Love. As can be imagined, Rock and Roll, the last song, rocked hard and brought the house down.

I am sure to buy any CD or DVD of this performance. I am also eagerly geared up to buy tickets for the U.S. tour. Come on guys, show the U.S. some love! Doesn’t everyone want to see a Led Zeppelin reunion tour?

Victoria plays bass guitar and enjoys playing and listening to rock and roll. Led Zeppelin is her favorite rock band, and she writes stories about the history of Led Zeppelin to help the new generation understand the greatest rock bank of all time. More stories about Led Zeppelin are added regularly to her website on Led Zeppelin rock history: History of Led Zeppelin Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victoria_Stevens