Michael Rother on The Jimi Hendrix Experience- Are You Experienced (1967)

In 1967, I was still in school and played guitar in a band called Spirits of Sound in Düsseldorf. George Harrison, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton were my idols. Then Jimi Hendrix came- and everything changed. In March 1967, he and his band- with Mitch Mitchell on drums and Noel Redding on bass, performed for the first time in German TV for the ‘Beat Club‘ show. They played ‘Hey Joe‘, which was their first single. I was confused and euphoric: this virtuosity on the guitar, the new, burning sounds and surprising melodies, Jimi’s absolutely individual style- so much new!

When in May 1967 the first album, Are You Experienced, was released, he showed his entire spectre of expression: whether raw, pounding and driving, psychedelic-experimental, or touchingly melodic- all songs were convincing and intense. How Hendrix created sounds that had never been heard before using the wah-wah, distortion, and studio technology at that time was unique. He set new standards and has influenced generations of musicians ever since. Hendrix became my greatest idol on the guitar. As a 16-year-old I didn’t know the abysses on which songs like “Manic Depression” and “Purple Haze” were based, but the music took hold of me. I still get goosebumps when I hear the guitar solo of “This May Be Love“. I was lucky enough to see the Jimi Hendrix Experience live in 1969. Many other guitarists and musician friends envy me for this experience today. Hendrix has inspired us all.

by Michael Rother
(read interview here)