The new feature-length film, “Jimi Hendrix - Hear My Train A Comin'”, was released this past week, and PBS is sharing the full documentary following its premiere on their American Masters series.
The film traces the guitarist's remarkable journey from his hardscrabble beginnings in Seattle, through his stint as a US Army paratrooper, unknown sideman to R&B stars such as Little Richard, Joey Dee and the Isley Brothers, and his discovery and ultimate international stardom.
“Hear My Train A Comin’” unveils previously unseen performance footage and home movies taken by Hendrix and drummer Mitch Mitchell while sourcing an extensive archive of photographs, drawings, family letters and more to provide new insight into the musician's personality and genius.
The two-hour documentary tells the definitive story, illustrated by interviews with Hendrix and illuminated with commentary from well-known friends and musicians including Paul McCartney, Noel Redding, Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cox, Eddie Kramer, Steve Winwood, Vernon Reid, Billy Gibbons, Dweezil Zappa and Dave Mason, as well as revealing glimpses into Jimi and his era from the three women closest to him: Linda Keith (the girlfriend who introduced Jimi to future manager Chas Chandler), Faye Pridgeon (who befriended Hendrix in Harlem in the early 1960s) and Colette Mimram, (one of the era's most influential fashion trendsetters who provided inspiration for Hendrix's signature look and created such memorable stage costumes as the beaded jacket Hendrix famously wore at Woodstock).
The film details the meteoric rise of the Experience, the creation of his groundbreaking music, the building of Electric Lady Studios, his state of the art recording facility in Greenwich Village and concludes with poignant footage from his final performance in Germany in September 1970, just 12 days before his death at age 27.
“Jimi Hendrix - Hear My Train A Comin'” is available to order via the Amazon link below.
See also:
Jimi Hendrix: Part 2 of Electric Ladyland’s 45th anniversary on In The Studio
VIDEO: Jimi Hendrix – Hear My Train A Comin’ documentary preview
Jimi Hendrix: Electric Ladyland 45th anniversary featured on In The Studio
Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train A Comin’ documentary due this fall
