A brief history of

Experience Hendrix Tour (West Coast)

February 22, 2004 - February 26, 2004

Experience Hendrix Tour Brings Rock Icon's Legacy To Live Performance Stage

More than 7,500 music fans packed three historic West Coast concert venues to Celebrate the Music & Legacy of Jimi Hendrix during a series of preview concerts produced by Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. Inspired by Jimi Hendrix's unparalleled creative and musical influence, Experience Hendrix has continued on that tradition with a series of all-star tribute concerts held in honor of the late great musician. Three initial West Coast dates of the Experience Hendrix Tour were completed this past February commencing with a sell-out performance at the Paramount Theatre in Hendrix's hometown of Seattle, Washington.

The three-date mini tour was headlined by acoustic and electric performances by legendary Blues guitarist Buddy Guy and featured inspired renditions of Hendrix's classic anthems by the likes of Carlos Santana, Paul Rodgers, Joe Satriani, former Alice In Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell, Indigenous, Kid Rock lead-guitarist Kenny Olson, former Howlin' Wolf guitarist Hubert Sumlin, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, former Journey frontman (and Carlos Santana collaborator) Neal Schon, Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon (Double Trouble) the famed rhythm section for guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ann Wilson, Pearl Jam lead-guitarist Mike McCready plus special appearances by original Jimi Hendrix bandmates Billy Cox and Mitch Mitchell and several others.

"We felt strongly that a live presentation of the music that Jimi Hendrix created and which inspired him would be an exciting and unique way of conveying his relevance to today's audiences," explains Janie Hendrix President and CEO for Experience Hendrix.

The new Experience Hendrix Tour continues on the tradition formed by Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. ' the company formed by Hendrix's family to manage the name, likeness, image and music of Jimi Hendrix ' with past tribute concerts held at Seattle Experience Music Project (November 2002), two hugely successful tribute concerts at San Diego's Street Scene Festival (September 2001 and September 2002), an all-star tribute concert at Cleveland's famed Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame And Museum (September 2000); plus similar shows held in Seattle during the city's annual Bumbershoot arts and music fair (September 1995) and tribute concert events held in conjunction with the family sponsored Jimi Hendrix Electric Guitar Competition (January 1998).

The opportunity to celebrate the legendary guitarist's music and continuing influence is welcomed by former Jimi Hendrix Experience bandmates Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox. Bassist Billy Cox, who first befriended Hendrix when the two served in the US Army's 101st Airborne Division and later joined him in both the Band Of Gypsys and the Experience, is extremely pleased with the tour concept and the work the Hendrix family has completed since taking control in 1995.

"Nobody cared about any of us musicians until Experience Hendrix came into being," states Cox. "We were never consulted about anything to do with the Jimi's music until the Hendrix family took over. I think Jimi would be proud of the way Janie Hendrix and the company have kept the music available to people around the world. "Mitch Mitchell strongly concurs with Cox: "Janie Hendrix has done her best to rectify the miserable, unjust situation which had gone on year after year. Janie cares about the music, she cares about the legacy and the fans. Until Experience Hendrix came on the scene there was no one in my opinion who cared about the quality of the music, about Jimi's name, and certainly about me. As for me, no one but Janie ever bothered and for that I am deeply grateful."

In what is hoped to be an on-going series of tribute concerts showcased under the Experience Hendrix Tour banner, the tour's first series of events were held February 22 (Seattle, Wash.,) February 24 (Portland, Ore.,) and February 26 (San Francisco, Cal.). In all three instances the Experience Hendrix artists played to sold-out audiences and received hugely favorable press reviews ' 'A night to remember' (Mercury News); 'Tribute to guitar God Hendrix heavenly' (Contra Costa Times); 'Spirit of Jimi Hendrix lives on through his music' (Seattle Times).

Artists joining the Experience Hendrix Tour will perform such classic Hendrix songs as "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)," "Hey Joe," "Red House," and "Little Wing" along with blues standards performed and recorded by the late guitarist. Hendrix admired the gritty electric blues popularized by the likes of Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters and transformed their songs such as "Killing Floor" and "Catfish Blues" in his own inimitable style. Buddy Guy and Hubert Sumlin, who served as lead guitarists for Wolf and Waters, thus, return to pay homage to the guitarist who both broadened the scope and commercialized the blues like no artist had ever done. In addition to these special performances, the concerts will feature biographical information, interactive kiosks, and video footage of the legendary guitarist.

In kicking off the Experience Hendrix Tour, Jimi Hendrix's hometown of Seattle, Washington ushered in star-studded night of performances that more than satisfied the music hungry crowd.

The nearly three-hour, 22-song event featured performances from some of the industry's most celebrated artists ' from Blues legends such as Buddy Guy and Hubert Sumlin, some of Hendrix's fellow bandmates (Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox), Hendrix contemporaries such as Paul Rodgers (whom shared the stage with Hendrix while fronting the band Free during the Isle Of Wight Festival Of Music in August 1970); modern rockers like Jerry Cantrell, Kenny Olson and Ann Wilson, plus some of today's up and coming rockers including Indigenous, Eric Gales and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

The musical slate for Show #1 held at Seattle's historic Paramount Theatre on February 22 included:

"Foxey Lady"
with Sheldon Reynolds (guitar), Ricky Lawson (drums), Bobby Watson (bass), Morris Pleasure (keyboards), Larry Dunn (synth/moog)

"Who Knows"
with Sheldon Reynolds (guitar), Ricky Lawson (drums), Bobby Watson (bass), Morris Pleasure (keyboards), Larry Dunn (synth/moog), Kenny Olson (guitar)

"Little Wing"
with Indigenous featuring Mato Nanji (guitar), Pte (bass), Wanbdi (drums)

"Hear My Train A Comin'"
with Indigenous featuring Mato Nanji (guitar), Pte (bass), Wanbdi (drums)

"Purple Haze"
with Eric Gales (guitar), Chris Layton (drums), Pte (bass)

"Killing Floor"
with Hubert Sumlin (guitar), Mike McCready (guitar), Jimmy D. Lane (guitar), Chris Layton (drums), Tommy Shannon (bass)

"Bleeding Heart"
with Hubert Sumlin (guitar), Jimmy D. Lane (guitar), Chris Layton (drums), Tommy Shannon (bass)

"Hey Joe"
with Jerry Cantrell (guitar), Chris Layton (drums), Tommy Shannon (bass), Ann Wilson (vocals), Eric Bradley (vocals)

"Manic Depression"
with Jerry Cantrell (guitar), Ann Wilson (vocals), Chris Layton (drums), Tommy Shannon (bass)

"Power Of Soul"
with Living Colour featuring Corey Glover (vocals), Vernon Reid (guitar), Doug Wimbish (bass), Will Calhoun (drums)

"Crosstown Traffic"
with Living Colour featuring Corey Glover (vocals), Vernon Reid (guitar), Doug Wimbish (bass), Will Calhoun (drums)

"Come On (Part 1)"
with Kenny Wayne Shepherd (guitar), Noah Hunt (vocals) Chris Layton (drums), Tommy Shannon (bass)

"Voodoo Chile / I Don't Live Today"
with Kenny Wayne Shepherd (guitar), Noah Hunt (vocals) Chris Layton (drums), Tommy Shannon (bass)

"Freedom"
with Billy Cox (bass), Mitch Mitchell (drums), Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Angel"
with Paul Rodgers (vocals), Kenny Olson (guitar), Billy Cox (bass) Mitch Mitchell (drums), Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Stone Free"
with Paul Rodgers (vocals), Jerry Cantrell (guitar), Kenny Olson (guitar), Billy Cox (bass) Mitch Mitchell (drums), Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Louise McGhee"
with Buddy Guy (acoustic)

"Lucy Mae Blues"
with Buddy Guy (acoustic)

"Hoochie Coochie Man"
with Buddy Guy (guitar), Hubert Sumlin (guitar), Chris Layton (drums), Tommy Shannon (bass), Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Five Long Years"
with Buddy Guy (guitar), Hubert Sumlin (guitar), Chris Layton (drums), Tommy Shannon (bass), Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Red House"
with Buddy Guy (guitar), Billy Cox (bass), Mitch Mitchell (drums), Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Voodoo Child (Slight Return)"
with Paul Rodgers (vocals), Buddy Guy (guitar), Kenny Wayne Shepherd (guitar), Mato Nanji (guitar), Jerry Cantrell (guitar), Vernon Reid (guitar), Eric Gales (guitar), Andy Aledort (guitar), Kenny Olson (guitar), Sheldon Reynolds (guitar), Chris Layton (drums), Tommy Shannon (bass), Billy Cox (bass), Mitch Mitchell (drums)

Show #2 on the brief Experience Hendrix Tour took place Tuesday, February 24 at downtown Portland, Oregon's Roseland theatre. Despite the comparatively smaller venue, the tour's second show proved spectacular with several audience singalongs throughout the night.

Included on the twenty-song setlist in Portland were:

"Foxey Lady"
with Sheldon Reynolds (guitar), Ricky Lawson (drums), Bobby Watson (bass), Morris Pleasure (keyboards), Larry Dunn (synth/moog)

"Who Knows"
with Sheldon Reynolds (guitar), Ricky Lawson (drums), Bobby Watson (bass), Morris Pleasure (keyboards), Larry Dunn (synth/moog), Eric Gales (guitar)

"Little Wing"
with Indigenous featuring Mato Nanji (guitar), Pte (bass), Wanbdi (drums)

"Hear My Train A Comin'"
with Indigenous featuring Mato Nanji (guitar), Pte (bass), Wanbdi (drums)

"Purple Haze"
with Eric Gales (guitar), Chris Layton (drums), Pte (bass)

"May This Be Love"
with Eric Gales (guitar), Chris Layton (drums), Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Manic Depression"
with Jerry Cantrell (guitar), Chris Layton (drums), Billy Cox (bass), Corey Glover (vocals), Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Spanish Castle Magic"
with Jerry Cantrell (guitar), Billy Cox (bass), Chris Layton (drums), Corey Glover (vocals), Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Hey Joe"
with Jerry Cantrell (guitar), Chris Layton (drums), Billy Cox (bass), Eric Gales (guitar) Eric Bradley (vocals)

"Power Of Soul"
with Living Colour featuring Corey Glover (vocals), Vernon Reid (guitar), Doug Wimbish (bass), Will Calhoun (drums)

"Crosstown Traffic"
with Living Colour featuring Corey Glover (vocals), Vernon Reid (guitar), Doug Wimbish (bass), Will Calhoun (drums)

"Freedom"
with Billy Cox (bass), Mitch Mitchell (drums), Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Angel"
with Paul Rodgers (vocals), Billy Cox (bass) Mitch Mitchell (drums), Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Stone Free"
with Paul Rodgers (vocals), Jerry Cantrell (guitar), Billy Cox (bass) Mitch Mitchell (drums), Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Louise McGhee"
with Buddy Guy (acoustic)

"Lucy Mae Blues"
with Buddy Guy (acoustic)

"Hoochie Coochie Man"
with Buddy Guy (guitar), Chris Layton (drums) Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Five Long Years"
with Buddy Guy (guitar), Chris Layton (drums), Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Red House"
with Buddy Guy (guitar), Billy Cox (bass), Mitch Mitchell (drums), Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Voodoo Child (Slight Return)"
with Paul Rodgers (vocals), Buddy Guy (guitar), Mato Nanji (guitar), Jerry Cantrell (guitar), Vernon Reid (guitar), Eric Gales (guitar), Kenny Olson (guitar), Sheldon Reynolds (guitar), Chris Layton (drums), Pte (bass), Billy Cox (bass), Mitch Mitchell (drums)

Following the Portland show, tour co-producer John McDermott explained, 'the Portland crowd was the wildest, singing along with 'Angel' and 'Crosstown Traffic' incredibly loud and enthusiastically. Buddy Guy's acoustic performance in Portland was stunning and Corey Glover once again lept off the stage during 'Crosstown Traffic' and ran among the tightly packed (General Admission) audience.'

Day five and the third and final show on the Experience Hendrix Tour has its work cut out for itself after two immensely successful shows in Seattle and Portland. Moving up to a slightly larger venue than in Portland Experience Hendrix Tour the Thursday, February 26 show at San Francisco's famed Warfield Theater saw another capacity crowd (2,500+ people) witness another spectacular evening of music.

As a special treat in San Francisco, the evening's event featured two unannounced guest appearances -- Carlos Santana and Neal Schon ' who joined fellow event newcomer Joe Satriani plus the returning musicians who had previously performed during earlier tour stops in Seattle and Portland. Santana, a long time Hendrix-family supporter was only too happy to have the opportunity to participate in another Experience Hendrix project. In addition to his performances at the Warfield, he has contributed a studio recording of 'Spanish Castle Magic' that will be included on the May 4th release of Power Of Soul: A Tribute To Jimi Hendrix

Back in a slightly larger venue, Experience Hendrix's set increased to 21-songs, spanning nearly three hours in length and included:

"Foxey Lady"
with Sheldon Reynolds (guitar), Ricky Lawson (drums), Bobby Watson (bass), Morris Pleasure (keyboards), Larry Dunn (synth/moog)

"Who Knows"
with Sheldon Reynolds (guitar), Ricky Lawson (drums), Bobby Watson (bass), Morris Pleasure (keyboards), Larry Dunn (synth/moog), Eric Gales (guitar)

"Little Wing"
with Indigenous featuring Mato Nanji (guitar), Pte (bass), Wanbdi (drums)

"Hear My Train A Comin'"
with Indigenous featuring Mato Nanji (guitar), Pte (bass), Wanbdi (drums)

"Purple Haze"
with Eric Gales (guitar), Chris Layton (drums), Pte (bass)

"May This Be Love"
with Eric Gales (guitar), Chris Layton (drums), Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Freedom"
with Billy Cox (bass), Mitch Mitchell (drums), Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Hey Joe"
with Jerry Cantrell (guitar), Chris Layton (drums), Mitch Mitchell (drums), Billy Cox (bass), Eric Gales (guitar) Larry Dunn (synth/moog)

"Manic Depression"
with Jerry Cantrell (guitar), Chris Layton (drums), Joe Satriani (guitar), Billy Cox (bass), Mitch Mitchell (drums), Eric Gales (guitar)

"Spanish Castle Magic"
with Jerry Cantrell (guitar), Joe Satriani (guitar), Billy Cox (bass), Chris Layton (drums), Paul Rodgers (vocals), Mitch Mitchell (drums)

"Angel"
with Paul Rodgers (vocals), Billy Cox (bass) Mitch Mitchell (drums), Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Stone Free"
with Paul Rodgers (vocals), Neal Schon (guitar), Jerry Cantrell (guitar), Billy Cox (bass) Mitch Mitchell (drums)

"Louise McGhee"
with Buddy Guy (acoustic)

"Lucy Mae Blues"
with Buddy Guy (acoustic)

"Five Long Years"
with Buddy Guy (guitar), Chris Layton (drums), Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Hoochie Coochie Man"
with Buddy Guy (guitar), Chris Layton (drums) Andy Aledort (guitar)

"Red House"
with Buddy Guy (guitar), Joe Satriani (guitar), Billy Cox (bass), Mitch Mitchell (drums)

"Blues For Jimi"
with Carlos Santana (guitar), Chester Thompson (keyboards), Chris Layton (drums)

"Blues For Salvador"
with Carlos Santana (guitar), Chester Thompson (keyboards), Chris Layton (drums), Mitch Mitchell (drums)

"Damn Right I Got The Blues"
with Carlos Santana (guitar), Buddy Guy (guitar), Chester Thompson (keyboards), Chris Layton (drums), Billy Cox (bass)

"Voodoo Child (Slight Return)"
with Paul Rodgers (vocals), Buddy Guy (guitar), Joe Satriani (guitar), Mato Nanji (guitar), Jerry Cantrell (guitar), Eric Gales (guitar), Neal Schon (guitar), Sheldon Reynolds (guitar), Chris Layton (drums), Pte (bass), Billy Cox (bass), Mitch Mitchell (drums)

Press reviews following the Experience Hendrix Tour were plentiful and overwhelmingly positive including the Contra Costa Times' declaration that the event were 'heavenly!' and The Mercury News calling it 'a night to remember.' Feedback from fans following the three events were nothing short of jubilant but with only one simple demand ' 'we want more.'

Events such as the Experience Hendrix Tour simply help to underline the incredible and lasting influence that Hendrix continues to have on modern music. His uncanny musical abilities are without question. Since catapulting into the spotlight with his stunning debut release, Are You Experienced in early 1967 and earning himself the moniker as "The Wild Man From Borneo" along the way; through it all, he remained closely vigilant in relating to his musical past and embracing new sounds and new musicians. As a result, his music transcends boundaries crosses all musical lines and solidifies his mark as one of the most influential artists of the 20th Century.

Today, Jimi Hendrix's status as a cultural icon stands undiminished. His popularity and concomitant record sales continue throughout the world. His continuing imprint on popular culture-more than three decades after his untimely death in 1970 is remarkable. Hendrix's appeal has been tapped repeatedly by Hollywood. The recent hit Stuck On You prominently featured the classic Hendrix favorite "Fire" for just one example. Meanwhile Outkast has revived his fashion style, while Nigel Kennedy, the classical genre's best selling artist, has interpreted Hendrix's songs in that realm. Hendrix songs are regularly performed in concert by numerous touring artists including the Red Hot Chili Peppers and John Mayer. In May, Experience Hendrix will release Power Of Soul: A Tribute To Jimi Hendrix, an album featuring new and previously unreleased recordings by Eric Clapton, Sting, Prince, Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble and other heavyweights.

The Experience Hendrix Tour provides another opportunity to fans of all ages to come together in a fun and exciting environment to explore and experience the musical legacy of the world's greatest guitarist.

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