Up From the Skies Blues in the Psychedelic 60’s

Blues Revival, American Style Paul Butterfield Blues Band They had already backed Dylan at the Newport Folk Festival They had already backed Dylan at the Newport Folk Festival Guitarist Mike Bloomfield was one of the first “white blues guitarists” Guitarist Mike Bloomfield was one of the first “white blues guitarists” Bloomfield has been called, “America’s most influential guitarist until the arrival of Eric Clapton” Bloomfield has been called, “America’s most influential guitarist until the arrival of Eric Clapton” This is “Born in Chicago” from 1965 This is “Born in Chicago” from 1965

England Supercharges the Blues As amplification technology advanced rock bands got louder As amplification technology advanced rock bands got louder Examples included: Examples included: John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers Cream Cream The Jeff Beck Group The Jeff Beck Group Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin Eventually, influences from jazz to English folk music combine to create fusion & heavy metal, among others. Eventually, influences from jazz to English folk music combine to create fusion & heavy metal, among others.

Cream Sunshine of Your Love From the 1967 album, “Disraeli Gears” From the 1967 album, “Disraeli Gears” Clapton joined Ginger Baker (drums) & Jack Bruce (bass) to form what he thought was a blues trio Clapton joined Ginger Baker (drums) & Jack Bruce (bass) to form what he thought was a blues trio The band excelled at free-form jazz/blues improvisation The band excelled at free-form jazz/blues improvisation Clapton claims to have gone temporarily deaf while playing with Cream Clapton claims to have gone temporarily deaf while playing with Cream

Cream Crossroads From the 1968 album, “Wheels of Fire” From the 1968 album, “Wheels of Fire” This was a cover of Robert Johnson’s delta blues “Crossroads Blues” This was a cover of Robert Johnson’s delta blues “Crossroads Blues” Unlike many other Cream songs where Jack Bruce sang, Clapton takes lead vocal duty on this song Unlike many other Cream songs where Jack Bruce sang, Clapton takes lead vocal duty on this song

Jeff Beck Beck’s Bolero Released in 1968 Released in 1968 After leaving the Yardbirds, Beck formed a series of groups After leaving the Yardbirds, Beck formed a series of groups He moved effortlessly from blues, to jazz fusion, to pop He moved effortlessly from blues, to jazz fusion, to pop This song was a staple of Texas rock bands in the 1960’s (ZZ Top, Vaughan Brothers) This song was a staple of Texas rock bands in the 1960’s (ZZ Top, Vaughan Brothers)

Jimi Hendrix: brief bio Born November 27, 1942 Born November 27, 1942 African-American, Caucasian, and Native American ancestry African-American, Caucasian, and Native American ancestry Multiple influences: blues, R&B, Elvis, jazz, Dylan Multiple influences: blues, R&B, Elvis, jazz, Dylan Brief stint in army in the early 60s Brief stint in army in the early 60s Worked for the Isley Brothers, & Little Richard, among others Worked for the Isley Brothers, & Little Richard, among others Forms band, “Jimmy James and the Blue Flames” (NYC) Forms band, “Jimmy James and the Blue Flames” (NYC) Animals’ Chas Chandler convinced him to go to England Animals’ Chas Chandler convinced him to go to England Forms “power trio” called the Jimi Hendrix Experience Forms “power trio” called the Jimi Hendrix Experience

The Jimi Hendrix Experience Jimi Hendrix (guitar), Noel Redding (bass), Mitch Mitchell (drums)

Hendrix – early success Huge success in England Huge success in England Marketed strongly toward audience for “psychedelic” music Marketed strongly toward audience for “psychedelic” music First tour of USA – opened for The Monkees (!!) First tour of USA – opened for The Monkees (!!) “Real” American debut took place at Monterey Pop Festival, 1967 “Real” American debut took place at Monterey Pop Festival, 1967

Jimi Hendrix Experience Red House From “Are You Experienced” Released in 1967 This is a 12 bar blues Hendrix, while known for outrageous performances, could play beautiful, tender ballads, traditional blues, and jazz-style songs as well.

Hendrix Style characteristics Hendrix played the guitar “left-handed” – not with the strings reversed, but a right-handed guitar upside down. His primary guitar was the Fender Stratocaster. heavy blues & soul influence heavy blues & soul influence heavy use of feedback, and what was called "fuzz" tone heavy use of feedback, and what was called "fuzz" tone electronic effects boxes: fuzz box, wah-wah, tremolo bar (whammy bar) electronic effects boxes: fuzz box, wah-wah, tremolo bar (whammy bar) extreme volume overdriving the speakers extreme volume overdriving the speakers

Jimi Hendrix Experience Purple Haze Released on 1967’s “Are You Experienced?” Released on 1967’s “Are You Experienced?” This song features Hendrix’s “fuzz tone” This song features Hendrix’s “fuzz tone” This song also features the often mis- heard lyric, “’scuse me while I kiss the SKY” This song also features the often mis- heard lyric, “’scuse me while I kiss the SKY”

Jimi Hendrix Experience Little Wing From the LP “Axis Bold as Love” Released in 1968 This is a great example Hendrix’s soul guitar style – and his Curtis Mayfield influence This song has been covered by Sting, Clapton, & SRV.

Jimi Hendrix Experience Castles Made of Sand Released on 1968’s “Axis: Bold As Love” Released on 1968’s “Axis: Bold As Love” Another example of Hendrix’s ballad style, also influenced by C. Mayfield Another example of Hendrix’s ballad style, also influenced by C. Mayfield It also features some of Hendrix’s studio experiments – backwards guitars, drums, and a composed backwards solo! It also features some of Hendrix’s studio experiments – backwards guitars, drums, and a composed backwards solo!

Jimi Hendrix Experience 3 rd LP – “Electric Ladyland” 1968 Considered by some to be the greatest Hendrix LP

Jimi Hendrix Experience All Along the Watchtower Released on 1968’s “Electric Ladyland” Released on 1968’s “Electric Ladyland” We spoke in an earlier class about Dylan songs being covered by other artists: this is among the most famous examples We spoke in an earlier class about Dylan songs being covered by other artists: this is among the most famous examples Listen to all the effects in this song, many were played real-time by Hendrix in the studio Listen to all the effects in this song, many were played real-time by Hendrix in the studio

Jimi Hendrix Experience Voodoo Child (Slight Return) From 1968’s “Electric Ladyland” From 1968’s “Electric Ladyland” Part Robert Johnson-style delta blues, Muddy Waters-style Chicago blues, & John Lee Hooker-style hoodoo blues Part Robert Johnson-style delta blues, Muddy Waters-style Chicago blues, & John Lee Hooker-style hoodoo blues Listen to all the instrument movement going on (headphones are great for this song!) Listen to all the instrument movement going on (headphones are great for this song!)

Woodstock Hendrix’ performance at Woodstock was legendary All the publicity had listed him as the “headliner” of the concert, scheduling him last on Sunday evening He actually didn’t play until early Monday morning; many people had left His Woodstock rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” has become one of the great classic performances of rock history

Band of Gypsys Hendrix with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles

Band of Gypsys Machine Gun Recorded New Year’s Eve, 1969, at the Fillmore East Recorded New Year’s Eve, 1969, at the Fillmore East This is Hendrix at his impassioned, emotive best This is Hendrix at his impassioned, emotive best Listen to his effortless command of feedback, distortion, and dynamics Listen to his effortless command of feedback, distortion, and dynamics Band of Gypsys featured Hendrix’s first all- African American group, and a new co-vocalist, drummer Buddy Miles Band of Gypsys featured Hendrix’s first all- African American group, and a new co-vocalist, drummer Buddy Miles

Hendrix opened his own studio in New York, “Electric Lady” Hendrix opened his own studio in New York, “Electric Lady” Forms new group, “Band of Gypsys,” with drummer Buddy Miles and bassist Billy Cox Forms new group, “Band of Gypsys,” with drummer Buddy Miles and bassist Billy Cox Career ups and downs – several memorable performances followed by a disaster at Madison Square Garden Career ups and downs – several memorable performances followed by a disaster at Madison Square Garden Hendrix does the “Cry of Love” tour with Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox as the “Cry of Love” band Hendrix does the “Cry of Love” tour with Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox as the “Cry of Love” band

September 18, 1970 Hendrix is found dead in his London flat Though drug-related, there is much confusion surrounding the incident A large number of LPs were released after Hendrix’ death – but only 4 were released in his lifetime. He is generally regarded as one of the greatest and most innovative guitarists in the history of rock and roll.