http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/18/showbiz/jimi-hendrix-invisible-legacy/index.html?hpt=hp_c2
I won't paste the lengthy article here. It raises points about Jimi's acceptance by the black audience during the height of his popularity. I'm not sure the author is spot on in all details - but it should make for great chat and conversation here. Great read.
you beat me to it rusty. great article.
Start the discussion: the author refers to blacks unwillingness to accept Jimi's "playing white man's music", but later arrives at the fact that Jimi was playing souped-up blues (taking blue to Mars) and that he cut his chops playing with the likes of Little Richard and the Isley Brothers.
He says that Jimi was "drummed out of Seattle ... for being black" - to resurface in the deep south - where he also experienced racism. I'm sure about the racism in the south - but Jimi being run out of Seattle - where the author later says that his schools were "among the most integrated in America"?
In 1972-73, I had never been to New York. But I attended some very integrated (mostly black) schools in the south. At that time, Hendrix certainly seemed accepted by blacks at that point. The blacks that I attended school with were very proud of Jimi! His music certainly spanned the gap between races!
