Hendrix: Setting the Record Straight [Paperback]

Edward E Kramer (Author), John McDermott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1992

Here's the first complete, definitive account of the career, music, and legacy of Jimi Hendrix, based entirely on first-person recollections and new, exclusive interviews with musicians and key figures in the Hendrix inner circle. Authors John McDermott and Eddie Kramer (Jimi's longtime producer) take readers inside the studio and on tour to reveal the creative process of a true rock pioneer. Two 8-page inserts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The facts about the greatest guitarist of all time - a classic Hendrix book - Paul McCartney Authoritative...any fan of Hendrix will be delighted - George Martin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

John McDermott is a writer/video producer and a longtime Hendrix memorabilia collector and historian. Eddie Kramer was Hendrix's oridingal producer and was responsible for his three classic and four posthumous albums, --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 364 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (September 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446394319
• ISBN-13: 978-0446394314
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #551,502 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Most Even-Handed Hendrix Bio Available, September 7, 2001

By 

doomsdayer520 (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Hendrix: Setting the Record Straight (Paperback)

Disclaimer: Huge Hendrix worshipper! When this book appeared in 1992 it was (and still is) the most even-handed biography on Jimi. Previous bios were from either muckrakers who were trying to damage his legacy, or by people who never met him and were trying to make grand statements about his talent. In this book McDermott has taken the time to get first-hand accounts from those who knew Hendrix best, including bandmates and business associates. The most valuable asset here is engineer Eddie Kramer, who was Hendrix's close friend and trusted creative confidant. (However, it seems that Noel Redding was consulted less than other bandmates, possibly because he had a more unflattering story to tell).

Getting these valuable first-hand accounts gives us a very balanced view of Jimi's personality, and both sides of the coin are shown. You get the expected admiration for his talent, and the good sides of his personality. You also get the not-so-good parts, such as Jimi's paranoia, insecurities, and appallingly poor business sense. This book is not afraid to give bad reviews of Hendrix's poor live performances with the Experience when they were on the verge of splintering, or with the undeveloped Band of Gypsys. Also, his pathetic death (choking on his own vomit) is not dwelled upon and is treated as the senseless mistake it really was, rather than the noble, romanticized exit from this world (or even suicide) that you'll hear about in other accounts.

The excessive details about Hendrix's sloppy business arrangements provide valuable information, even though these passages get very long-winded and detract from the focus of the book - which is the man and his music. Also, be suspicious of character descriptions of people who are not around to give their side of the story. This doesn't apply to Hendrix himself, as described above, but to late manager Michael Jeffery. This man surely left plenty of evidence that he was paranoid and power-hungry, but the descriptions of his personality by the people in the book, most of whom didn't like him, should be treated with suspicion, as he's not around to have his say. To a lesser extent, the same applies to Jimi's sexy but dangerous girlfriend Devon Wilson.

The coverage of the posthumous Hendrix musical catalog is getting outdated (fortunately). Certainly after his death, the managers and record companies flooded the market with inferior material, most of which was either impromptu jam sessions or sub-par live performances which were never meant for release. Until the mid-90's this avalanche of so-called "lost" material blurred the brilliance of the smaller amount of official records that Jimi really tailored for the public. This situation has been mostly resolved since 1994 when the Hendrix family finally gained control of the musical copyrights. They've given us great reissues of the official albums, as well as the incredible "First Rays of the New Rising Sun" which consolidates the album Hendrix was creating at the time of his death. But with things like "South Saturn Delta" and "Live at the Fillmore East" the Hendrix family is almost as guilty of barrel-scraping as the bad guys were in the 70's.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Now I know the true Jimi Hendrix, May 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Hendrix: Setting the Record Straight (Paperback)

This book shed a lot of light onto one of the greatest and most tragic figures in modern music. Much of what I knew about Jimi was based on rumors and vague interpretations about what he and his music stood for. However, this book presented a detailed look into his life. Through personal accounts from those around him, the author paints a detailed portrait of who Jimi really was. Although I have always been drawn to Jimi by his music, the book showed his personal side, which is equally as compelling. The weakness in my opinion was the lack of detailed information on his early childhood years. Although his father Al would play an important role in the Jimi Hendrix legacy (and still does to this day), their relationship (or lack thereof) is rarely mentioned. Also, there could have been more written about how much influence he had on music. The discography is very inclusive, but it lacks detailed commentary. Overall, I enjoyed the book a great deal and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about Jimi Hendrix.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jimi Hendrix: Setting the Record Straight, February 17, 2000

By 

S.Watkins (Antarctica) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hendrix: Setting the Record Straight (Paperback)

This biography was written to, as the title states , set the record straight. After Jimi Hendrix's 6-year career wasw cut short by a drug overdose he was viewed as an anti-establishment, sex and drug addict. However, no one ever focused on his serious vision and path of his music. He started his career as a backup musician for such artists as Curtis Knight and the Squires, the Iskey Brothers, and Little Richard. After that he was signed by Chas Chandler ( formally of the Animals0 signed him and moved to England. There the Experience began. The book shows that Jimi spent hours and hours in the studio to get a song right and kept to himself alot. Totally unlike his stage personallity. I would recommend this book to any music lover. The other musicians' insight into Hendrix's talent and personality makes the book especially interesting. It provides an interestingperspective into the most unique period in music History