He’s probably most known for smashing his guitars on stage – an intense, visceral, and powerful form of performance art.

But the story of how Hendrix came to record his debut album in London goes differently than you might think.

 In 1966 he recorded his first two albums – Are You Experienced? and Axis: Bold as Love – in London with Chas Chandler as producer.

 In 1967, he released Electric Ladyland, which included songs from both sessions

 as well as some new material recorded later that year in New York with engineer Eddie Kramer.

*Disclaimer: This is a fictional post created by myself for the purpose of this blog.

 The events described in this post are entirely fictional. If they were real, no one would believe it.

Jimi Hendrix arrived in London, England in 1966, with a dream to pursue music full-time. 

He’d just finished high school and wasn’t planning on returning.

 He didn’t even have any money to get there –

 he’d just learned that his father was moving back to the United States with his new wife and kids and needed him to come along too. 

They ended up living near the airport for a while until he got a job at the airport bar.

 It was there that he met Linda Keith, a fashion model and girlfriend of Keith Richards. 

She would be the one to introduce Jimi to all the right people.

Chas Chandler was a drummer for the Animals in 1966 – one of the top bands at that time.

 He noticed that this young kid drinking tea at his girlfriend’s place had “the look” – meaning he looked like a rock star, 

with long hair and an electric guitar at his side. Chas brought him along to some clubs with “the look.” 

The people running them didn’t know who Jimi was but let him perform anyway. “He was that good,” said Chandler.

Chas also arranged a meeting with manager Peter Grant – who at the time had recently signed The Beatles to Decca Records. 

Grant liked Jimi immediately, and made him an offer – $50 a week to work one night a week at Polydor Records. 

Jimi Hendrix in the studio with Chas Chandler (1967)

During his time in London Jimi displayed both his talent and his trashiness.

 He loved going up to the Trocadero Hotel across from the studio where all the big bands stayed, 

drinking whiskey by himself in the lounge where they hung out. Then, he went to the club across the street called the Savoy. 

He was always making fun of his new boss and new bandmates. His bandmates didn’t like him being there because they felt it was an embarrassment to their band, but they couldn’t say anything.

On one occasion, a group of girls outside the venue where Jimi and his bandmates were playing began chanting

 “Hendrix! Hendrix!” His manager Peter Grant heard about this and came to break it up – 

bringing Jimi back inside by force. He was fired on the spot. Then he went across the street to The Savoy for another drink.

Jimi Hendrix – The Wind Cries Mary

He quickly found another job working at a club called the “Action House.” When his managers found out they were furious. 

Jimi didn’t care though. He was now stashing away a lot of money. Enough to start his own band soon. 

He owed Peter Grant $600 for his last gig, but he’d already saved $2,000. 

Jimi went to London’s “Music & Sound” store and bought everything he needed – microphones, cables, and more – paying in cash.

Chas Chandler and Jimi met at the studio downstairs from the Action House and recorded their very first demo tape.

 In a few days, they’d gone from no money to recording an entire album – 

not only that but taking it to New York for Eddie Kramer to remix and then make it ready for release.

Jimi left London with a few recordings in hand. Peter Grant sent them back to Chas. 

Later that month, Kramer would fly out and record Electric Ladyland in New York with Jimi as producer.

 The record would be released in March of 1967. which musician was responsible for bringing jimi hendrix to london?

Jimi Hendrix’s British Recordings

“Hey Joe” – Jimi recorded a few takes of this song one afternoon in 1966.

 Later on, he would re-record the song in England with Chas Chandler as producer.

 It was released as a single in 1968 and went on to become Jimi’s first chart success, reaching number seven on the Billboard charts. 

“Foxey Lady” – Recorded in April 1966, this bluesy track was another one that Jimi later re-recorded for his debut album.

 “Stone Free” – Another one from the April 1966 session. 

A blues song about being free from pain and suffering, by breaking free of the mundane day-to-day life that most people are stuck with.