Starting At Zero: His Own Story

Original. Quite different and refreshing given the thorough backdrop of sensationalistic rags - everyone of them a glorified op-ed.We all know the 1-other book that would rank #2 well Never Happen - the Murder of Jimi Hendrix by a Scumbag-Manager and the most flagrant, overtly "Are-You -F&cking-Kidding-Me" Cover-Up in celebrity Deaths, Suicides, Overdoses, Foul-Play and Murder in HISTORY.This Legend - in the happiest year of his Musical-Writing Career, who was 2/3's thru his 2nd-Double (if not Triple) Album, 3-months into HIS PERSONAL DREAM COME TRUE - the MOST-ADVANCED, CUSTOM-BUILT, INTIMATE, PERSONAL, RECORDING -STUDIO IN HISTORY ( and thus far, the future) - that Any "Artist" (more like servant of Music, probably never "Thank-You'ed" in his Career... who had EVERYTHING to Live for & had "FINALLY" - by EVERY Account - found his OWN, Un-Manipulated, Unbridled, VERVE, and via that Powerful Discovery - His "Freedom", Burgeoning HIS FIRST SIGNS of Denying Habitual-Avoidism & Demonstrating PERSONAL STRENGTH...This Man, who was - BTW Turning Into A Man - "O/D'ed on unabsorbed 12%-Ethanol, ASPIRATED RED-WINE - 4 BOTTLES OF IT! !! and "ONLY 7!!" of the 40-Pill-Prepared, Lying, Harlot who gets away with being an Accessory !?!I'm sorry, but I take 40 Dilaudid, 300 Methadone, 120 Oxycodone, 90 Dextro-Amphetamines, 8 Klonopin, 400 Seroquel, Occasionally Indulge, Red Wine with Dinner and I hold Multiple Neurosurgical USPTO-PATENTS, a job in Medicine Research, Software IT, and (Far from Hendrix) do play the guitar, nail women, run miles, travel, etc. If I took a TRIPLE Dose of EVERYTHING - THEN downed ( or upped) an ounce of Peruvian Pure, I'd be at work the following morning.

If you're a Hendrix fan, and I am, you'll love this book. I've read numerous books about him, including lots of bios but this is one of the best. It isn't so much an autobiography. The writer was planning to film a documentary on Hendrix when he (Jimi) died. He sat it aside for years and decided to write a book, A lot of this is from interviews, but where are you gonna find those interviews nowadays? Hendrix talks in depth about his childhood,his family, his early music career and the many people he worked with as well as his stint in the army and run ins with the law. There are copies of lots of postcards and letters to his father, from the time he left home until he died. Apparently, he was very close to his father and kept in touch, if only by mail.There are also a few Q & A type interviews that are pretty good (some are kinda funny). . Hendrix was never into explaining his playing or his music too much. Perhaps because he couldn't. But who else can? As a fan of Hendrix for many years, I found this book enjoyable and informative. One small complaint is that there are no photos. Some excellent drawings but no photos. I've always liked pics of him playing live. That's not much to complain about though. Most celebbios these days are not much more than photos. I'm sure I'll read it from time to time, like all good books, put it on the shelf and don't let it get away.

The great Jimi Hendrix, himself, is listed as author. Only reason I didn't give the final star is that I don't think anyone can express everything they think in their own papers and interviews, as it is laid out in the book. Fascinating to read, but someone had to take some creative license to tell us what Jimi was thinking. I think it's ok to do that, but whoever did connect all the parts together should be given credit as ghostwriter or co-author. Having said that, this story draws you in and doesn't let go, especially if you were a fan while he was alive. He was a creative genius whose main desire was to be the best guitar player in the world. He was a prolific womanizer but said he loved all women. Apparently he was missing the gene it takes to be faithful to only one woman. The women in the story are just background, except for the one with him when he died. I was surprised that he didnt like for his music to be called psychedelic. He had more of a world view of music, didnt tend to separate genres, and was not particularly impressed by jazz, except for Rashan Roland Kirk. This book is worth a read!

Pretty good book. Great so far, as I'm about 3/4 of the way through it.Some things I like about the book is that it's writen in first-person-perspective. As though its Hendrix himself telling his story, but that does have its con. I love how most chapters are named after his songs, and the addition of lyrics here & there really bring the book together.Some things I didn't like were that this book can be pretty hard to understand at times, the first chapter being the hardest & strangest. Certainly not the strongest way to start a book. But hey, I'm no expert! Also, with this book being an "almost autobiography", I feel as though this book is more of a mans opinion on Hendrix, rather than the true-to-life story of Jimi. But without those opinions, I guess the book would be pretty dry like most biographies.Overall, I recommend this book. It's full of fun little stories and happenings all throughout Jimi's life and its a great jump start for someone looking to feel closer to knowing who Jimi really was.By the way, buying the book used is much cheaper and you'll thank yourself in the long run!

I’m a big fan of Jimi Hendrix I Idolize Mr Hendrix every time I read it’s like I’m interviewing him it’s so many great stories he’s saying beyond the Grave. Please people keep your nasty comments to your self nobody cares

Bought this for my partner and he says its ok.We have seen a lot of interviews over the years and my partner has read many books on Hendrix , his comment is' that anyone can take pieces of information from interviews and snippets from Hendrix's scribbles , the book is ok but at the end of the day , its just one persons interpretation'I am sure many will enjoy reading this book but when all is said and done if it wasn't written in Jimi's own hand , so its not really his own story .Interpret the story for yourselves , its not an expensive book so worth the 'experience'! (excuse the pun) .

An interesting read, an interesting man - his music is the generation of music I like - psychedelic Rock, of course his music was, well see how he describes it... it doesn't fit into one genre. I am more interested in the man and his mind, his visions and purpose. I think its amazing how he used his music to express something higher, no pun intended. Easy enjoyable and quick read.

An OK book. Best thing about it is its jimi in his own words

Bought as a gift for my friend who is over the moon with this book. As a Hendrix fan he has been engrossed reading this and said he would recommend it to every Hendrix fan to read.

Very well put together book. The researcher has used Hendrix interviews, and made them into a kind of autobiography, which is very cleverly done. The best read on Hendrix out there, and a unique vision into the mind of a musical genius!!