http://media.npr.org/assets/music/programs/worldcafe/2010/03/jimihendrix.jpg

March 5, 2010

A masterful showman, a brilliant experimentalist and one of the most influential musicians in rock history, Jimi Hendrix revolutionized the way people think about the electric guitar in genres ranging from psychedelic rock to blues, R&B and jazz. Though Hendrix couldn't read or write music, his incredible ability to manipulate the guitar with controlled feedback, distortion, pedal effects and other techniques opened the door to a wide range of possibilities.

Hendrix's flame burned hot and bright. He skyrocketed to fame after releasing a wealth of demo recordings and mastered albums with groups such as the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Gypsy Sun and Rainbow and Band of Gypsys. He first established himself in Europe, then won more fans after his famous performances at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 and Woodstock in 1969. Even after his death in 1970, Hendrix continues to leave his mark on the music world, influencing legends such as George Clinton and Miles Davis. He continues to rake in music awards for posthumous studio albums.

The most recent Hendrix album, set for release on Tuesday, revisits songs from his creative period after 1968. Titled Valleys of Neptune, the record allows fans to tap into a part of his career that is rarely heard, with five unreleased songs and unfamiliar arrangements of signature songs such as "Red House" and "Fire." The album chronicles Hendrix's studio experiments in '69 and '70 — sessions that helped him define his musical direction.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124356209

He was the Man.

here in Nuremberg, Germany.

So many years ago.... yet the memories are still so fresh in my mind. What a burning hot musician he was!

Yeah, saw him in '70, few month before he died, afraid to say but he was not on his game that night, fucked up as a football bat. Still, he was the Man.

You are German?

Nice avatar.

Yes, German, but lived in the U.S. for 20 years. My son was born there - he is married with a child of his own and lives in Texas. I returned to Germany quite a few years ago to take care of my elderly parents.

Last year, my husband's leg was amputated and I am so grateful for Germany's health care system. Two hospital stays including surgery, three-week rehab, a wheelchair which is his to keep for life, two prostheses - grand total out of pocket expenses less than $ 1500,--. I can well imagine that this might have bankrupted a family in America.

It would bankrupt me today without insurance and would have bankrupted me with that shitty insurance that I used to have.
Perhaps you could tell us about the state of 'social democracy' and the state of unions in Germany.