Jimi Hendrix’s short, but prolific career produced some of the most incendiary guitar playing the world has ever seen. On this day, back in 1969 the Newport Jazz Festival kicked off it’s three day journey. Jimi Hendrix was the top billed performance among other legendary acts like Ike And Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Byrds, The Rascals, Steppenwolf, Janis Joplin, Johnny Winter, Eric Burdon and Love.

Jimi pulled in a record breaking $125,000 for the performance which at the time was the highest fee ever paid to a rock act for a single performance. Jimi did not disappoint. Check out this footage of Jimi’s transcendent blues instrumental at Newport. Jimi had the ability to channel his emotions, soul and energy through his guitar. Free form jams like this one really show him at his freest as a performer.

Side note: I love seeing the guys and gals trying to climb onto the stage and then the staff dutifully coming over and prying their hands off the stage 😂