Hendrix at Monterey Pop Festival
16 June 1967
At the request of Paul McCartney Hendrix was booked to play at the Monterey Pop Festival. Even though he had dominated the English rock scene, he was still largely unknown to the American audience. He was booked along some of the biggest names in pop; Beach Boys, The Animals, Simon & Garfunkel and some who were soon to be discovered by an American audience such as Janis Joplin and The Who. They soon all paled into insignificance once Hendrix had taken the stage.
Hendrix's performance went down as one of his most explosive and spellbinding performances of his career, not least because of the finale of "Wild Thing", where he set fire to his guitar with lighter fuel. Hendrix vowed that he would 'pull out all the stops' after following The Who's set.
I was there
Related Programme
The Birth of Rock - Blues-based Rock 1963-1970
The rock revolution of the 1960s seen through the life and music of Jimi Hendrix.
Have Your Say
Disclaimer: The BBC will put up as many of your comments as possible but we cannot guarantee that all e-mails will be published. The BBC reserves the right to edit comments that are published.
-
Tom Wilkes, California
Once upon a time there was a rebellion, a revolution against the status quo. The youth of America were sick and tired of the Viet Nam war, racism and the endless political whitewash in the media. Out of this anger and unrest came the world's first Pop Music Festival.
The Monterey International Pop Festival was about music, flower children, and the celebration of life. The event was a protest manifesting in rock'n roll music, long hair, strange dress, drugs and free love. It was thrust in the face of what was then referred to as "The Establishment".
The Monterey Pop Festival was the main event of 1967's "Summer of Love" and one of contemporary rock's defining moments. This peaceful revolution was expressed through a universal language of music, poetry, the graphic arts and new lifestyles. The lyrics of popular songs reflected the feelings of the movement. Monterey Pop was a gathering of the tribes to celebrate the dawn of a new age and bring about a positive change in existing politics, ideals and institutions.
Tom Wilkes - Art Director, Monterey International Pop Festival 1967Sarah--->, Leeds
I'm 12 years old and I LOVE THE WHO! Pete Townshend is my inspiration in this world! HE WROTE THE SONGS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE! love this programme - cant wait for next week!Suzi
loved the show, best thing ive seen yet cant wait to see the other agespaul c bristol
quality programme,enjoyed the 'hendrix' bits no end-roll on next weekMac Daly
Jim Morrison was not dead in 1970 as Murray said near the end. He died in 1971!
Pete Townsend
Musician
The Who's guitarist had earlier tossed with Hendrix for who would get the headline spot - neither of them wanted to follow the other.