JOE SATRIANI

WHAT DID JIMI HENDRIX MEAN TO YOU AS A PLAYER?

“Jimi’s heart and soul were evident on everything he played. This had the most profound effect on me as a young player. I still get the feeling that he surrendered himself to the music every time he performed. For Jimi, every song was a unique opportunity for expression, exploration and exposition. His skills as an improvisor were spellbinding, and convinced me as a young musician that that very skill had to be part of my life’s pursuit.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK HENDRIX BROUGHT TO THE GUITAR?

“He showed us that the electric guitar could be played with far more expressiveness than previously attempted. He innovated with his fingers, hands, and his whole mind and body on every song he played.”

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE HENDRIX MOMENT, AND WHY?

“Every time someone asks me this question I find a new answer. The problem is I love all of Jimi’s songs. For sheer groundbreaking electric guitar brilliance it has to be Machine Gun from the Band Of Gypsys’ Live At The Fillmore East.”

“But I can’t ignore the magic captured on film at the Monterey Pop Festival, when Jimi introduces the Bob Dylan song Like A Rolling Stone, and then proceeds to reinvent it, elevate it, and destroy it, along with his guitar! His innocence, boldness, naivety, audacity, musicianship, showmanship, are all gloriously on display in this once-in-a- lifetime moment.”