Jimi Hendrix: An Illustrated Experience [Hardcover]

Janie Hendrix (Author), John McDermott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 9, 2007

Jimi Hendrix: An Illustrated Experience
The electric, bodacious, extraordinary life of Jimi Hendrix as told through
text, rare photographs, removable documents, reproductions of memorabilia,
and a 70-minute audio CD.

Jimi Hendrix: An Illustrated Experience illuminates the life of the musical icon who pioneered a new generation in rock and roll with his explosive electric style. With exclusive access to the private family archives, co-authors Janie Hendrix and John McDermott tell the vibrant and unique story of Jimi's life, from his formative years in hardscrabble Seattle through his short-lived days in the eye of a fanatic and dedicated public, to the aftermath of his sudden death and the wake of his legacy.

An indispensable addition to any music lover's library, the book is a truly interactive experience, featuring reproductions of drawings from Jimi's childhood, his rare handwritten song lyrics, and never-before-seen archival photographs. In addition to 30 interactive features, the book includes a 70-minute audio CD with interviews and commercially unreleased recordings of live concert music and a Record Plant jam session. While listening to Jimi work out musical riffs, while holding pieces of the ephemera that chronicle his life, you will experience Jimi Hendrix the way you were meant to: in full color.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Atria Books (October 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743297695
• ISBN-13: 978-0743297691
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 10.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #522,287 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Janie L. Hendrix, Jimi's sister; heads the family companies of Experience Hendrix and Authentic Hendrix as Chief Executive Officer and President.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Musuem in a Box, November 7, 2007

By 

Kevin Smith (Maui) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jimi Hendrix: An Illustrated Experience (Hardcover)

There seems to be an abundance lately of these "musuem-in-a-box type" books. There's one for John Lennon, Jim Morrison, Bob Dylan, and now Jimi.

Jimi Hendrix: An Illustrated Experience is divided into three parts:

Biography: This is not the strongest part of the book. Considering the authors, John McDermott, author of two previous books on Hendrix, and Janie Hendrix, Jimi's step-sister, one would hope for more detail on some the areas that have been overlooked by other books. Sadly, this is not the case. Page 60, the final page, is filled with many "pats on the back" for all the two authors have done, or feel they've done, to keep Jimi's legacy on track. There's even a photo credit error on page 19. That's John Goddard's photo as seen in the book "Harlem of the West."

Interactive - Inserts: This is the real reason for buying the book. Many of these items were auctioned off over the years, and only those with deep pockets would have had a chance at owning the real thing. Of course, due size constraints, many are reduced, and a lot of the colorc aren't as vibrant as the original. Still, they are very cool to examine up close.

Music/Interview CD: Most collectors probably own the material on this CD, especially if you purchase CDs from Experience Hendrix's Dagger label. The CD features tracks from two releases "Morning Symphony Idea" and "Live at Clark University." Most people who purchase the book are the serious collector, and it's a shame Experience Hendrix didn't come up with a more imaginative collection of Hendrix material for the CD.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely NOT a biography - but fun to play with and explore, November 25, 2007

By 

Steven I. Ramm "Steve Ramm "Anything Phon... (Phila, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jimi Hendrix: An Illustrated Experience (Hardcover)

As another reviewer said this "museum in a box" set with over 30 reproduced documents - mostly letters or Journals - slipped in pockets throughout the text is not the best biography of Hendrix. Then again, I'm not sure it's supposed to be. There are other bios of Hendrix - two Hendrix books were already authored by co-author John McDermott.

This book made to be "interactive" with the "reader" pulling out the pieces of paper. Unlike similar "boxes" out there, much of the Hendrix material is in the same format, with the exception of a few mini-posters. I would have though that other multi media would be fun to see. The book does come with a 70-minute CD and - while this material is available from Hendrix specific websites, it's not generally found in major bookstores where this book is made to be seen and sold. The 30 minute "Studio Jam" with Jimi playing with all kinds of sounds could act as a "soundtrack" to leafing through the book and playing with the inserts.

So, no it's not perfect but if you think about it as a hands-on "experience" it can be a lot of fun. And - given the author's credentials - you know that the facts should be correct.

I gave it Four Stars as a fun "experience" and not as a reference book. There are plenty of them.

Steve Ramm

"Anything Phonographic"

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars not credible, January 13, 2008

By 

Jimi Ellis (San Antonio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jimi Hendrix: An Illustrated Experience (Hardcover)

Be careful not to buy into anything written or stated by his step-sister.

She had virtually no interaction with Jimi. Moreover she consistantly places a self serving (monetary) driven slant on everything she publishes about Jimi.