Skip to content
DVD: 
- Format: DVD & Hi-Def DVD (and accompanying CD)
- Released: October 2007
- Rating: DVD: 10/10; CD: 10/10
On the evening of Sunday June 18 1967, the music world was rocked to its foundations, by one man Jimi Hendrix.
This is the story of how Hendrix overwhelmed 50,000 fans at the CountyFairgrounds in just 45 minutes. Over the years, theres been a great debateabout the greatest gig of all time.
So how does Jimi Hendrixs show at Monterey Pop Festival on June 18 1967 matchup? Read on.
The theme for the California festival (officially known as Monterey InternationalPop Festival 67) was Music, Love and Flowers as it tried to show that itcould transcend everything and conquer the world, organised by Mamas and Papascouple John and Michelle Phillips, and Lou Adler. Organisational footage showscommittee meetings where they decided who would be suitable for the event.The aim was to, “attract the finest internationally established young entertainersin the 1967 pop genre and also to showcase little known performers who showunique promise.” – It couldnt have been written better for Jimi.
Board member Paul McCartney suggested Hendrix (and The Who). It was his firstmajor American appearence. Typically, there was some opposition to the threeday event. Organisers tried to convince the city council there would be no drugs,and hippies were the most peaceful and wonderful people in the world and a crowdof 200,000 over three days wasnt going to adversely affect the town of Monterey.
They neednt have worried because Hendrixs monumental gig spread positivevibes around the world like wildfire. Monterey was the first pop festival thatbrought all kinds of music to one event. Jazz and folk had credibility, whereasPop hadnt, so it was a big gamble.
Big pop names Simon and Garfunkel, Otis Redding, The Mamas and Papas (each closinga different night) enrolled even though none of the acts were paid (exceptRavi Shankar who got $3,000 for his afternoon slot), with the $1 nominal entrancefee going to charity.
According to commentators, 99% of people didnt know who the Jimi Hendrix Experiencewas. They were about to find out. Because Hendrix had built up a huge livereputation, particularly in London, it was his name on musicians lips. Theywere expecting big things from him. He delivered the goods, and it became thelaunching pad for Hendrix in America, becoming the most important gig in hiscareer.
Less than a year before, he was playing gigs as an unknown in Greenwich VillageNY. He was spotted by Chas Chandler bass player with The Animals who was lookingfor his first venture into band management. He saw him play Hey Joe atCafe Wah, later thinking about taking Hendrix to England where he believed hewould change the face of music in England. He knew he was going to be asensation, and he was.
A deal (without band members who came later) was struck with Track Records ona beer mat, as he was then unsigned. Eventually, he met Mitch and Noel at ajam session in London, where they played a cover of a Tim Rose track, Hey Joe.As they say, the rest is history. On the DVD, theres interviews with Chandler, Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell, bassist Noel Redding, amongst others.
Using archive footage we get a feel for the time, which was at the peak of thehippydom The Summer Of Love. To everyones amazement a media frenzyensued. A cluster of luminaries gathered: Stones Brian Jones (who introducedHendrix) Clapton, Townsend, Janis Joplin, and there was a debate as to whowould follow who.
Hendrix went on before The Who. Silver jacket, fringed orange shirt, red pants,pink boa, Afro hair and headband, Jimi exploded with Foxey Lady and it wasntlong before he began his antics along with some mesmerising guitar licks. Asthe stage turned red, his version of Dylans Like A Rolling Stone remainsa definitive cover, showcasing some blistering blues tricks and picks. By thetime hed reached Rock Me Baby, he was still nervous, and tending totalk in cliches, though youd never think it from the mind blowing performance.
Six songs in, he showed he could handle a more sedate ballad, The Wind CriesMary, continuing to chew gum on solos. The came the biggest blast of all.The raucous Purple Haze during which he lifted his guitar to his teeth.Audience clips show genuine amazement. More would come. A screeching intro toWild Thing was just the start. He cruised through it, with loads ofnever before seen Rock exhibitionism: one handed playing, behind his back,sliding against the speakers, roll backs, pouting, strutting, and THE moment(shown on DVD and CD packshots), he set his guitar on fire, smashed it up,while Mitchell and Redding held the fort.
Leaving the stage, drums sticks, guitar parts and strap were hurled into thecrowd. All over in 45 minutes, they were stunned. Pandemonium broke out asfans went nuts. Jimi modestly summed it up like this. “It was such a goodfeeling especially in your own home country, and I guess they feel the same way.”
The Bonus has an unearthed monochrome low-key performance in Chelmsford, Englandon February 25, 1967, where he plays Like A Rolling Stone and StoneFree, almost four months before he set his guitar, and the world alight.
Just over three years after Monterey, on September 18 1970, aged 27, Hendrixdied in London from inhalation of vomit due to barbiturate intoxication.
His legacy lives on via this brilliant simultaeneous release that includescolour booklets with archive photos and memorabilia.
One word. Sensational.
Weblink: jimihendrix.com
Tracks include:
1. Killing Floor
2. Foxey Lady
3. Like A Rolling Stone
4. Rock Me Baby
5. Hey Joe
6. The Wind Cries Mary
7. Purple Haze
8. Wild Thing
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.