How Did Jimi Hendrix Die?

One tragic morning in the fall of 1970, 27-year-old Jimi Hendrix choked to death on his own vomit after consuming a fatal combination of alcohol and sleeping pills. Many details of the rock star’s last 24 hours are disputed.Was America’s “Black Elvis” just another druggie swallowed whole by the rock and roll revolution? Or was he the victim of malevolent forces beyond his control? Here’s what we know about the Jimi Hendrix death.

On September 18, 1970, Hendrix was found unconscious at the Samarkand Hotel in London, England. He was rushed to St. Mary Abbot’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at the age of 27. The official cause of death was asphyxia due to inhalation of vomit, although the exact circumstances leading up to his death have been the subject of much speculation over the years.

There have been various theories about how Hendrix died, including suggestions of suicide or accidental overdose. However, the most commonly accepted theory is that Hendrix died as a result of an overdose of barbiturates, which he had been prescribed for a sleeping disorder.

But why did it happen?

Did the experimental youth intend to kill himself? Did he simply abuse his own limits with little thought of the consequences? Or worse, was the death a set-up the skullduggery of a mysterious person or group who wanted this legend-in-the-making dead?

Although his death was never ruled a homicide or suicide, there are many who, decades later, believe there is much more to the story. There are a number of reasons to suspect foul play.

Whodunnit? Drug Addiction

There is no doubt many young musicians from the 60s and 70s succumbed to the drug-fueled excesses of the rock ‘n roll lifestyle – Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and more.

But Jimi Hendrix was not a drug addict. He didn’t even have very much alcohol in his system at the time of death – the equivalent of four pints, according to the autopsy.

As for the meds, Hendrix was a chronic insomniac who often used sleeping pills to get enough rest for his grueling touring schedule. The drug that suppressed Jimi’s gag reflex has long since been pulled from the market. Such high-risk barbiturates are no longer used for routine sedative purposes, but in Jimi’s day, the risks were poorly understood.

It is possible that the nine barbiturates found in Hendrix’s lifeless body were nothing more than the restless superstar’s honest attempt to get some shut-eye before an impending trip to the United States.

Whodunnit? J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI

Some people insist that the Hendrix death has all the marks of a homicide, but why? In the weeks before his death, Hendrix indicated that he believed he would not live much longer. He is said to have remarked, “the next time I go to Seattle will be in a pine box” and “I’m not sure I will live to be 28 years old.”

But who would want to murder the shy peacenik guitarist?

How about J. Edgar Hoover? The notorious director of the FBI until 1972 had numerous Black leaders critical of the status quo offed in the name of national interests. We now know that Hoover ordered the Bureau to “expose, disrupt, misdirect, discredit and otherwise neutralize” African-American organizations and leaders as part of the bloody COINTELPRO campaign.

We also know that Hendrix was being investigated by the FBI at the time of his death. Agents had a lengthy dossier on him, along with other high-profile radicals of the civil rights, Black Power and anti-war movements – some of whom died similarly abrupt and weird deaths at the height of their influence.

COINTELPRO tactics were ruthless and highly personalized. It was all part of an attempt to stifle the spread of anti-establishment ideas. Jimi’s meteoric rise to fame and his public affiliation with revolutionaries would have made him an obvious target of COINTELPRO.

Although we can’t say for sure if Jimi’s undoing was political – perhaps involving the forced ingestion of pills? – there are too many suspicious details to dampen enthusiasm for this popular political assassination theory.

Whodunnit? The Road Manager

We reserve the most suspicious character of all for last: Mike Jeffery, Jimi’s money-grubbing mafioso manager.

Allegedly a former MI6 spy for British Intelligence and rich with connections to organized crime, Jeffery’s influence on the young star was, by most accounts, shameful and abusive. It seems he embezzled away most of Hendrix’ fortune to offshore bank accounts, something Jimi was just catching on to at the time of his death.

It has been misreported that Jeffery had an insurance policy taken out on Hendrix prior to his demise. It is true, however, that the opportunistic manager proceeded to cash in on a treasure trove of unreleased Hendrix material as soon as the casket was closed.

We know Jeffery was in Spain the night of the Jimi Hendrix death, so he did not personally kill him. But did he use his Mafia ties to engineer the profitable demise of one of rock’s greatest? Even more disturbing, did he help Hoover’s FBI get rid of one of America’s most inflammatory public figures?

How did Jimi Hendrix die, really?

We may never know.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is whiskey go go and what did it have to do with Jimi Hendrix?

Whisky a Go Go was a famous nightclub located in West Hollywood, California. It was established in the early 1960s and quickly became known as a popular venue for live music and dancing. Many famous musicians and bands played at the Whisky a Go Go over the years, including The Doors, Janis Joplin, and The Byrds.

Jimi Hendrix played at the Whisky a Go Go several times during his career. His first performance at the venue took place in 1966, when he was a member of the band The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Hendrix returned to the Whisky a Go Go in 1967 and 1968, and his performances at the venue are remembered as some of the most iconic and influential of his career.

The Whisky a Go Go is credited with helping to launch the careers of many famous musicians and bands and has a long history as a major player in the Los Angeles music scene. It remains a popular venue for live music and continues to attract a wide range of talented performers.

imi Hendrix played his famous rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” at the Woodstock Music and Art Festival in Bethel, New York on August 18, 1969. The festival, which took place over the course of three days, was a major event in the history of rock music and attracted a massive crowd of over 400,000 people.

Hendrix’s performance of the “Star Spangled Banner” has gone down in history as one of the most iconic and memorable moments of the Woodstock festival. His electric guitar interpretation of the national anthem was widely praised for its creativity and originality and has been hailed as a masterpiece of rock music.

Hendrix’s performance at Woodstock helped to cement his reputation as one of the greatest and most influential guitarists of all time. His music and legacy continue to be celebrated and remembered by fans and musicians around the world.

What is the Jimi Hendrix Experience?

The Jimi Hendrix Experience was a rock band formed in London, England in 1966. The band was made up of Jimi Hendrix on guitar and vocals, Mitch Mitchell on drums, and Noel Redding on bass guitar.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience was known for its innovative and powerful sound, which blended elements of rock, blues, and psychedelic music. Hendrix’s guitar playing was highly influential and set him apart as a virtuoso musician. The band’s music was characterized by Hendrix’s distinctive guitar playing and powerful vocals, as well as the driving rhythms of Mitchell’s drums and Redding’s bass guitar.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience released three albums during their brief career: “Are You Experienced” (1967), “Axis: Bold as Love” (1967), and “Electric Ladyland” (1968). These albums have gone on to become classics of rock music and have influenced countless other musicians.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience disbanded in 1969, but Hendrix’s music and legacy continue to be celebrated and remembered by fans and musicians around the world.

How tall was Jimi Hendrix?

Jimi Hendrix was approximately 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall. He was a tall and slender man with a distinctive appearance and stage presence.

Hendrix was born in Seattle, Washington in 1942 and began playing guitar at a young age. He rose to fame in the late 1960s as a member of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, a rock band known for its innovative and powerful sound. Hendrix was a pioneer of the electric guitar and is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential guitarists in the history of rock music.

Hendrix’s music and legacy continue to be celebrated and remembered by fans and musicians around the world. He is remembered not only for his musical talent and innovation, but also for his distinctive style and stage presence.

What is the 27th birthday in relation to Jimi Hendrix?

The 27th birthday is significant in relation to Jimi Hendrix because he died at the age of 27. Hendrix was born on November 27, 1942 and died on September 18, 1970, meaning that he died just a few months before his 27th birthday.

Hendrix’s death at the age of 27 has become a topic of much speculation and myth over the years. This age is often referred to as the “27 Club,” as many other famous musicians, including Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, and Amy Winehouse, have also died at the age of 27.

Hendrix’s premature death was a shock to the music world and his fans, and his music and legacy continue to be celebrated and remembered by fans and musicians around the world. Despite his brief career, Hendrix is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential guitarists in the history of rock music.

Did Jimi Hendrix appear on Dick Cavett Show?

He did appear as a guest on Cavett’s talk show, The Dick Cavett Show, which aired on ABC from 1968 to 1975. During his appearance on the show, Hendrix talked about his music and his career, and performed several songs.

Who is Jimmy Hendricks?

Jimi Hendrix of people who can’t spell.

Jimi Hendrix, you are forever in our hearts.