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

June 1969: The Jimi Hendrix Experience play the final date on their last American tour in Denver. At the height of their popularity, the group break up.

August 1969: Hendrix debuts a new band, Gypsy Sun And Rainbows, at the Woodstock music festival in New York State. The group includes old army friend Billy Cox on bass, Mitch Mitchell on drums, Larry Lee on rhythm guitar and two percussionists.

Video: The Star-Spangled Banner at Woodstock

Due to rain, mud and general disorganisation, Hendrix (the Sunday headline act) takes the stage at 7:30am on Monday, after Woodstock was supposed to have ended. His radical rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner becomes notorious. Was it a critique of the US government's war in Vietnam? Or just an acid-blown jam?