(1942 – 1970) Born in Seattle, WA, Hendrix developed his unique left-handed technique (on a righthanded guitar) while playing back-up on tour for R&B artists like Sam Cooke and Little Richard. After a short period living in New York City, NY, he moved to London and became a big influence in the emerging music scene in England (particularly with guitarists like Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd, and John McLaughlin). His band, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, recorded several hits, including “Purple Haze” and Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower,” and soon his popularity spread back in the United States.

Hendrix’s performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, turned the anthem into suitable accompaniment for pictures of the dropping of Napalm in Vietnam, and revealed the subversive political potential of rock music. He died after a bout of mixing alcohol and drugs.