Hendrix estate blocks sale of live downloads

Jimi’s tracks won’t appear on Wolfgang’s Vault download site as family flexes its muscles

Michael Leonard, Wed 11 Jun 2008, 1:15 pm BST

Live Jimi Hendrix recordings will not be going online for download (© Experience Hendrix)

Universal Music Enterprises says there are no plans to release archive material by guitar hero Jimi Hendrix as part of a recent agreement with Wolfgang's Vault to sell downloads of live concerts. Wolfgang's Vault is the world's largest collection of live recordings online, home to the archive of renowned '60s-'80s promoter Bill Graham.

Universal's agreement gives Wolfgang's Vault permission to release certain live recordings by Universal artists, but Hendrix is not one of them. A UME spokesperson has told Billboard: "UME is just beginning the process of clearing rights and any speculation as to which performances will be released is premature. And, contrary to any previous reports, the estate of Jimi Hendrix has not granted any rights to the release of Hendrix's performances and any claims that indicate otherwise are not correct."

The Hendrix Estate has sued record labels in the past to ensure live recordings of Jimi remain under its strict control, and releases rare concerts under its own 'authorized bootleg' Dagger Records imprint.

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