Jimi Hendrix: a history in photos and videos

See the first film clip, hear his last recording

Michael Leonard, Thu 17 Sep 2009, 1:47 pm UTC

Jimi hendrix in london 1966

Jimi Hendrix in London, late 1966. IMAGE Michael Ochs Archives/Corbis

September 1966: Jimi Hendrix and Chas Chandler (former Animals bassist) fly to London. There, Hendrix forms The Jimi Hendrix Experience with Chandler acting as the trio's manager.

October 1966: Hendrix jams with (Eric Clapton's) Cream at the Regent Street Polytechnic college. Astounded at Jimi's playing ability, Clapton describes Hendrix's sound as "Buddy Guy on acid."

Video: Rare colour footage of Hey Joe live, 1967. (Slightly out-of-sync sadly)

December 1966: The Jimi Hendrix Experience release debut single Hey Joe. The group's debut album, Are You Experienced?, remains near the top of the UK charts through the summer of 1967.