Hendrix jams with Cream
1 October 1966
In 1966 Eric Clapton was the undisputed king of rock guitar in Britain. That was until Hendrix turned up on the scene. Jimi had only been in England for a week, yet there was already talk of this amazing American guitarist who had been creating a storm in London's blues clubs.
In a particularly over confident gesture Hendrix asked if he could jam with Cream at their gig at Central London Polytechnic. Hendrix took the stage and tore through a version of 'Killing Floor' in double time. Cream soon regretted allowing him to join them. Hendrix's outrageous stage antics and dazzling guitar playing caused Clapton to leave the stage in a state of shock. He asked Chas Chandler afterwards "Is he always that f***ing good?"
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
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Tom Nevin, Liverpool, Bootle
Jimi Hendrix was a rock god and still is in my bedroom, he was an amazin guitar player and is my personal favourite. Hendrix Rocks on (R.I.P)Steve Maddox
Hey Ken Mitchell - cool down man....what's all this Baker was better than Mitchell and Bruce was better than Rediding crap...you sound like an adolescent...therefore I doubt that you actually saw Hendrix or the Cream live in the 60's.......I was there man and we used to have those kind of stupid 'who is the best' conversations, but we grew out of that years ago......ok man if you want comparisons rather than who is better than who here goes from someone who really did see the JHE and the Cream numerous times..........Hendrix: nobody ever did it better.....it wasn't about being technical with Jimi,...it wasn't even about the notes...it was the feeling and what's between the notes......Eric was a great student of the guitar and a real virtuoso (still is in fact) but Jimi was the master and he practically re-invented the guitar...but I suppose Ken that you have actually done a study of them both to se who played fastest...or maybe you will now tell me that Ritchie Blackmore played faster than both of them on 'Speed King' ..........MItch Mitchell......totally innovative and a great free form jazz influenced (Elvin Jones-style) drummer who was the perfect foil for Jimi and probably one of the few drummers who could really complement the MAN...........Ginger Baker.....much more of a conventional skins man who could lay down a good groove for Eric's much more traditional blues playing...great timing and could hit hard too........Mitch and Ginger were mates and were part of the old London drummers group..........Noel Redding...not a bass player at all actually Ken, but very innovative with a great fluidity that also complemented Jimi and Mitch................Jack was and is one of the great 4 stringer slingers and he would have been good playing with Jimi but in a different way to Noel.......Jack used to play the old upright bass and like Mitch was also very jazz influenced. MItch and Jack actually played together in a great band that you probably never saw Ken called 'Jack Bruce and Frineds' with Larry Coryell.........Doug. Dawson. Newton Abbot, Devon.
Hendrix played from the heart, from the guts ,deep down.I could spend the rest of my life just listening to "Red House"and not be tired. Just one note from his guitar said so much for me. . Thanks for the programme, XX Doug.ken mitchell, selsey
I saw hendrix and cream live a few times in the 60's both great bands but totally different styles when playing live. Baker would have outplayed mitch mitchell off the stage and clapton was less volatile in his playing than hendrix. Hendrix was the complete showman and a guitar great, though I think clapton was technically better. As regards Jack Bruce and Noel Redding, no comparison.ken mitchell, selsey
I saw hendrix and cream live a few times in the 60's both great bands but totally different styles when playing live. Baker would have outplayed mitch mitchell off the stage and clapton was less volatile in his playing than hendrix. Hendrix was the complete showman and a guitar great, though I think clapton was technically better. As regards Jack Bruce and Noel Redding, no comparison.voodoo child 77
Fantastic,showed jimi fighting his deamons and great guitar licks it 'rocked' great clips, Eric Clapton, The who,and Bob Dylan.john hopkins, whitehven cumbria
enjoyed the first programme very much but i don't think it is fair top compare clapton and hendrix as while hendrix was a showman and clapton plays more blues style guitardiane reed
great show. looking forward to next week, my older brother was at isle of wight. also saw the doors in london. seen all the rock greats as far as i know!!!! i am a child of the 70's but you cant beat the founders of rock . I have 2 teenage kids who are carrying on the family tradition . my daughter plays guitar and is in awe of hendrix . she has a strat .... watch this space !!!!!!!!!!Jon, Stevenage
Fantastic programme, looking forward to the rest of the series, although many greats are left off the programme, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, and also electronic rock has been ignored, Supertramp, Gary Numan etc. But still great to see a interesting programme on the beeb. Hope there will be more and that a dvd release of the series.kev prescot merseyside
hendrix he is the best guitar player he is godChris, London
I prefer the story of Jimi smashing his strat up and Pete Townsend bringing back part of the guitar backstage...Jimi just looked at him and said "s'pose you want me to sign it for you honky!"...... what a guy!
Eric Clapton
Musician
Despite their first meeting, Clapton and Hendrix became close friends and remained so until Hendrix's death.