Starting At Zero: His Own Story - Hardcover

Hendrix, Jimi

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1620403315 ISBN 13: 9781620403310

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA, 2013

Synopsis

It took just four years in the spotlight for Jimi Hendrix to become an international cultural icon. The sheer impact and originality of his music and his unique mastery of the guitar placed him forever amongst musical giants. But what of the man behind the public image? Modest and intensely private by nature, Jimi was shrouded in intrigue from the moment he first came into the public eye, and the mystery has only grown with time.

Much has been written about him by experts, fans, and critics, some of it true and some of it not. He did, however, leave his own account of himself, locked away like a Chinese puzzle in his many interviews, lyrics, writings, poems, diaries, and even stage raps. Starting at Zero brings all these elements together in narrative form. The result is an intimate, funny, and poetic memoir-one that tells, for the first time, Jimi's own story as only he could tell it.

About this title

About the Author

Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) was one of the most important musicians of the 20th century.

Alan Douglas was a record producer who produced many of Hendrix's posthumous releases, and a friend and adviser to the musician during his lifetime. He devoted many years to Starting At Zero, and brought it to publication before his death in 2014.

Peter Neal is a documentary film director, whose credits include the 1968 Hendrix short documentary Experience.

Reviews

Hendrix’s revolutionary music remains potent and compelling more than four decades after his early death, and new material continues to surface, adding dimension to his profound legacy. Documentary filmmaker Neal and record producer Douglas have astutely and seamlessly assembled Hendrix’s long-scattered writings into a confiding, funny, and wrenching memoir of a life lived on the edge and passionately devoted to music and freedom. Here is Hendrix unmediated in his caustic wit, anger over prejudice, and belief in the freeing power of the imagination. Hendrix remembers his lonely Seattle childhood and his Indian grandmother’s ­poverty-stricken reservation. He hated school, the army, and as a self-taught, hungry, itinerant sideman, the militaristic rule of Little Richard. To his amazement, he found liberation in England. In thoughtful and expressive letters, lyrics, interviews, and reflections, Hendrix illuminates his dreams, love of science fiction and fairy tales, the stories behind his songs and now-legendary performances, and the surreal highs and lows of touring and stardom. Always ahead of the curve, Hendrix wryly pondered death: When I die, just keep on playing the records. --Donna Seaman

Edition details

• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1620403315
• ISBN 13: 9781620403310
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256