Hendrix arrived in England in October 1966, and auditions were launched to find him a backing band. Noel Redding was chosen for the bass spot. Even though he had never played bass before auditioning (he was a guitarist), Hendrix liked his look and attitude. Mitch Mitchell was a seasoned London drummer who brought jazz chops and a lead style of playing to the table. He would prove to be Hendrix's most valuable musical partner.
Though initially conceived as Hendrix's backing band, The Experience soon became much more than that. Along with Cream, they were the first group to popularize the "power trio" format, which essentially strips a rock band lineup down to the essentials: bass, guitar and drums. This smaller format also encourages more extrovert playing from the players involved, often at very high volumes. In the case of The Experience, Hendrix mixed lead and rhythm guitar duties into one, while also making use of then-revolutionary guitar effects such as feedback and wah-wah.
Mitchell played hard-hitting jazz-influenced grooves that often served a melodic role as much as they did timekeeping. Redding was the eye of the storm, playing deceptively simple bass lines that helped to anchor the band's sound. Visually, they decked themselves out in matching psychedelic costumes and permed afros.
The lineup first came to prominence during the Monterey Pop Festival, one of the first major music festivals. The band delivered a stellar performance, that ended with Hendrix famously setting his guitar on fire. The moment was immortalized in a photograph which was used as a cover of Rolling Stone[1] magazine. The appearance was also filmed and put into the documentary film Monterey Pop. This brought them to the attention of North American audiences. They were then asked to go on tour with The Monkees as the opening act. They abruptly left the tour after only a few dates. It was later revealed by Chas Chandler as being a publicity stunt.
With the band, Hendrix recorded his three most successful albums, Are You Experienced?, Axis: Bold as Love, and Electric Ladyland. In June of 1969, he decided to break up the group. Deteriorating relations with Redding had come to a head, and he also felt stilted by the trio format. He used a larger band lineup for his Woodstock concert in August 1969.
Hendrix would revert back to the trio format with Buddy Miles on drums and Billy Cox on bass and called themselves the Band of Gypsys. A live self-titled album was released in March 1970. This line up only lasted a couple of months. From early 1970 they were back to the original The Jimi Hendrix Experience, except Noel Redding was replaced by Billy Cox on bass.
This line up continued until Jimi Hendrix died in London, England from a drug overdose on the 18th September 1970.
Exp
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Lyrics
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Good evening ladies and gentlemen.
Welcome to radio station exp. tonight we are
Featuring an interview with a very peculiar
Looking gentlemen who goes by the name of mr.
Paul Crusoe, on the dodgy subject of are there
Or are there not flying saucers or... ahem, UFO's.
Please Mr Crusoe, pleased could you
About spaceships and even space people.
Mr Crusoe: (Jimi Hendrix)
Thank you. As you all know, you just can't
Believe everything you see and hear, can you.
Now, if you will excuse me, is must be on my way.
Announcer: (Mitch mitchell)
Bbu...but, but...I, I, don't
Believe it...
The Jimi Hendrix Experience's song Exp, short for "Radio Station Experience," is a unique and experimental piece that blends several different elements, from psychedelic rock to spoken word and sound effects. The song opens with an announcer from a radio station introducing Mr. Paul Crusoe, a guest who is being interviewed on the subject of UFOs or flying saucers. In response, Mr. Crusoe offers a cryptic response and hints that not everything we see and hear is necessarily true or can be trusted.
The lyrics of Exp are open to interpretation, with some suggesting that it is a commentary on the media's treatment of conspiracy theories and other unproven claims. The song also features several sound effects, such as radio static and alien-like noises, that add to the overall surreal and otherworldly atmosphere. Hendrix's guitar playing is also noteworthy, as he experiments with different tones, feedback, and distortion to create a powerful and far-out sound.
Overall, Exp is a fascinating and thought-provoking song that showcases the Jimi Hendrix Experience's creativity and willingness to push the boundaries of rock music.
Line by Line Meaning
Good evening ladies and gentlemen.
The singer is greeting the listeners of the radio program.
Welcome to radio station exp. tonight we are Featuring an interview with a very peculiar Looking gentlemen who goes by the name of mr. Paul Crusoe, on the dodgy subject of are there Or are there not flying saucers or... ahem, UFO's.
The radio station is currently airing an interview with someone named Paul Crusoe on the topic of whether or not UFOs exist, and the interviewer suggests that it is a controversial subject.
Please Mr Crusoe, pleased could you Give your regarded opinion on this nonsense About spaceships and even space people.
The interviewer asks Mr. Crusoe to share his opinion on the topic of UFOs and extraterrestrial life.
Thank you. As you all know, you just can't Believe everything you see and hear, can you. Now, if you will excuse me, is must be on my way.
Mr. Crusoe thanks the interviewer, and reminds everyone that they should be discerning and not believe everything they hear. He then excuses himself and ends the interview.
Bbu...but, but...I, I, don't Believe it...
The interviewer expresses disbelief at Mr. Crusoe's response and the abrupt end to the interview.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMI HENDRIX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind