MusicRadar

bigdawg · 10-30-2009, 03:13 PM

Anyone know of one or read one - there are quite a few on amazon at the mo and im pretty sure some are pretty dire - and I def dont want anything connected to the original hendrix not ripping you off company that def benefits jimi.....

Estheroid · 10-30-2009, 03:35 PM

I can't think of any in particular but I'd advise to go into your local library or bookshop and see if you like the style of any particular biog. For some reason, music biogs seem to be a real hit or miss area - I've read some absolute shockers (and others that were so badly written I couldn't even finish them

'Pearl: Obsessions and Passions of Janis Joplin' springs to mind - dreadful!)

There are some corkers out there - the Neil Young biog 'Shakey' is a great read, as is 'The Real Frank Zappa Book'

bigdawg · 10-30-2009, 03:48 PM

yeah I went down to both and neither had any, had a look on amazon though and theyve got around 10 different ones...

boogie man · 10-30-2009, 04:56 PM

I'm a Hendrix nut and have read most of them. Some are complete pants, but the best of the bunch IMO are Electric Gypsy by Harry Shapiro and Caesar Glebbeek (for general history and anecdotes) and Setting the Record Straight by John McDermott ( has more info about the recordings, but a tad anorak-y)

Edit..just had a look through my bookcase...The Hendrix Experience by Mitch Mitchell has some really great pictures, but isn't very well written IMO

longjaw · 10-30-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boogie man

I'm a Hendrix nut and have read most of them. Some are complete pants, but the best of the bunch IMO are Electric Gypsy by Harry Shapiro and Caesar Glebbeek (for general history and anecdotes) and Setting the Record Straight by John McDermott ( has more info about the recordings, but a tad anorak-y)

Edit..just had a look through my bookcase...The Hendrix Experience by Mitch Mitchell has some really great pictures, but isn't very well written IMO

+1 for Electric Gypsy - I'd say it's one of the best biographies I've read, and certainly the best of a musician.

Lixarto · 10-30-2009, 05:40 PM

This one.

bigdawg · 10-30-2009, 06:13 PM

thanks guys IM going to start off with setting the record straight (as its only 79p!!)

Is that penguin book really any good lixarto..??

Lixarto · 10-30-2009, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdawg

thanks guys IM going to start off with setting the record straight (as its only 79p!!)

Is that penguin book really any good lixarto..??

Is very good.
If I can find my copy, you can have it (for a pint

)
Not a big Hendrix fan, bought it because I'm a comics fan.

(Best. Hendrix. Biography. Ever)

Edit: I've just realised it's in the attic, so you'd be better spending the one pound something on Amazon. Sorry.

andrewrg · 10-31-2009, 03:11 PM

Didn't Charles Shaar Murray do one; 'Crosstown Traffic'?

erictheweary · 10-31-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewrg

Didn't Charles Shaar Murray do one; 'Crosstown Traffic'?

I read that years ago, enjoyed it but its not a straight biog - compares hendrix to robert Johnson and tries to put a social/political context around his popularity.

10-30-2009, 03:13 PM	#1
bigdawg Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 904	Good Hendrix Biography... Anyone know of one or read one - there are quite a few on amazon at the mo and im pretty sure some are pretty dire - and I def dont want anything connected to the original hendrix not ripping you off company that def benefits jimi..... __________________ T'sall Good.....

10-30-2009, 03:35 PM	#2
Estheroid Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,670	I can't think of any in particular but I'd advise to go into your local library or bookshop and see if you like the style of any particular biog. For some reason, music biogs seem to be a real hit or miss area - I've read some absolute shockers (and others that were so badly written I couldn't even finish them 'Pearl: Obsessions and Passions of Janis Joplin' springs to mind - dreadful!) There are some corkers out there - the Neil Young biog 'Shakey' is a great read, as is 'The Real Frank Zappa Book' __________________ Listerine is my kryptonite

10-30-2009, 03:48 PM	#3
bigdawg Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 904	yeah I went down to both and neither had any, had a look on amazon though and theyve got around 10 different ones... __________________ T'sall Good.....

10-30-2009, 04:56 PM	#4
boogie man Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: London Posts: 5,595	I'm a Hendrix nut and have read most of them. Some are complete pants, but the best of the bunch IMO are Electric Gypsy by Harry Shapiro and Caesar Glebbeek (for general history and anecdotes) and Setting the Record Straight by John McDermott ( has more info about the recordings, but a tad anorak-y) Edit..just had a look through my bookcase...The Hendrix Experience by Mitch Mitchell has some really great pictures, but isn't very well written IMO __________________ Don't blame it on the sunshine, Don't blame it on the moonlight, Don't blame it on the good times, Blame it on Gordon Brown. Last edited by boogie man : 10-30-2009 at 05:00 PM.

10-30-2009, 05:40 PM	#6
Lixarto Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: The Eleven-Day Empire Posts: 15,697	This one. __________________ Feel like Lazy Sadie She knows which way the wind blows

MusicRadar

Buy here

From the makers of

10-30-2009, 06:13 PM	#7
bigdawg Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 904	thanks guys IM going to start off with setting the record straight (as its only 79p!!) Is that penguin book really any good lixarto..?? __________________ T'sall Good.....

10-31-2009, 03:11 PM	#9
andrewrg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Exeter, Devon, UK Posts: 2,537	Didn't Charles Shaar Murray do one; 'Crosstown Traffic'?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode