Jimmy Hendrix Essays (1107 words) - , Term Papers

Jimmy Hendrix Jimi Hendrix was one of the most influential musicians in music history. Jimi Hendrix was one of the most exciting and creative guitar players ever. He mixed Blues and Rock & Roll together to create some of the most unique music ever played. Jimi had only four years of fame, but unlike others, has become even bigger in the 20 years after his death. Jimi's parents, Al Hendrix and Lucille Jeter got married in Seattle, Washington on March 31, 1942. Soon after Johnny (Jimi) Allen Hendrix was born in Seattle on November 27, 1942. Al and Lucille got divorced in December, 1951, because of Al's drinking problems. Al was granted custody of Jimi and his two brothers, Leon and Joseph. Shortly thereafter, Lucille Hendrix died of tuberculosis. Jimi did not attend her funeral because his father would not allow it and he had no way to get there. Unfortunately financial problems caused the brothers to be separated. Joseph was adopted and Leon was in and out of foster homes. As a young boy, Jimi loved to listen to his fathers Jazz and Classic Blues records. In Jimi's teenage years, he listened to Rock & Roll and R & B songs on the radio. Al quickly encouraged Jimi's love for music by buying him a $5 acoustic guitar. With practice, Jimi was soon playing songs off the radio and playing in local bands. In 1960, Jimi quit high school. After a few problems with the law, he joined the Army. He became a paratrooper, but was discharged after seven months because he broke his ankle. Starting in October of 1962, Jimi went off to pursue his musical career. Jimi was a pick-up guitarist for artists Little Richard, The Isley Brothers and Sam Cooke. In 1966, Hendrix formed a band and elected to sing for the first time. They had a regular spot in Greenwich Village, New York City. One night Chas Chandler, the bass player for the Animals, saw Jimi and his band perform. After the performance, Chandler was overwhelmed, he asked Hendrix if he would go to London with him. That was the turning point of his career. On September 24, 1966, Jimi arrived in London. There he held auditions for a bass player and drummer. After auditions, Jimi chose Noel Redding on bass guitar and Mitch Mitchell on drums. The JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE was formed on October 6, 1966. Three weeks later they recorded their first single, Hey Joe. It was released to the public at the end of the year. By February, Hey Joe was the number 4 song on the singles list. Jimi Hendrix was one of the hottest musicians in Britain. Soon there after, Jimi wrote and recorded Purple Haze and The Wind Cries Mary, both of which were huge hits. Then in May of 1967, Jimi released his first album, Are You Experienced?, which was in second place on the charts the whole summer. Also in May, they started studio recordings of Jimi's next album Axis : Bold As Love. Finally, Jimi debuted in America at the Monterey Pop Festival in California on June 18, 1967. Some consider this Jimi's best live performance. He ran through and played all of their hits before the grand finale, when he torched his guitar before smashing it on stage. Now not only was Jimi popular in Britain, but in America as well. On December 1, 1967, The Jimi Hendrix Experience released their new album, Axis: Bold As Love. In just a few weeks Axis : Bold As Love was in the top twenty and rising. On January 21, 1968, Jimi started recording his first song, All Along The Watchtower ,for his next album, Electric Ladyland. Jimi worked on Electric Ladyland the entire summer of 1968 and completed in on August 27, 1968. The Spring of 1969 was a rough one. Jimi was arrested at Toronto International Airport for possession of heroin and had to pay $10,000 bail. Soon there after, The Jimi Hendrix Experience disbanded. Noel Redding left for England and was replaced by Jimi's old army buddy, Billy Cox. Mitch Mitchell left also, but soon returned when Jimi formed his new band, Band of Gypsies . Jimi and his new band went to the Woodstock Music and Art Fair in August 1969. The apex of this performance was his playing of the Star Spangled Banner. This song was a meaningful, and compelling statement during the height of civil rights and the Vietnam War. Jimi took some time off from planning albums

Isaac Asimov Essays - Futurians, Isaac Asimov, Free Essays

Isaac Asimov Essays - Futurians, Isaac Asimov, Free Essays Isaac Asimov Isaac Asimov was born on January 2, 1920 in Petrouchi, Russia. His parents were Judah and Anna Asimov. Isaac also has a sister Veronica and a brother Stanley. In 1923 his family immigrated to the United States. He and his family grew up in Brooklyn, New York. In Brooklyn his family ran a small candy and magazine store. This is one of the places where Asimov began to learn about printing. Also it was here that Asimov learned good business and self-discipline skills (Bloom, 251). Asimov attended school and was a very bright student. He went to college at Columbia University. He graduated from there with his masters degree in Chemistry in 1941. His career was cut short though because in 1942 he moved to Philadelphia Naval Yard to work for the war. In 1945 he entered the army. In July of 1946 he was discharged from the army and he moved around for a few years till settling in West Newton, Massachusetts with Gertrude. It is there that he raised his family (Seiler,8). Asimov married Gertrude Blugerman on July 26th, 1942. They met on a blind date on Valentines Day. In 1955 their first son was born they named him David. Four years later their daughter Robyn Joan was born. Asimov met another woman Janet Jepson at a mystery writers banquet. The two of them were immediately attracted to one another. In 1970 when Gertrude and Asimov separated he moved in with Janet. His divorce to Gertrude was officialized on November 16th, 1973. On November 30th, 1973 an official of the Ethical Culture Society married Asimov and Janet in her home. They did not have any children (7). Asimov worked for many years of his life before become just a writer. His first job was in 1929. When Asimovs mother became ill and could no longer work at the family business. This is where Asimov first learned his skills he would carry for the rest of his life. He was a hardworking diligent man. After the war and everything Asimov became an instructor at the Boston University of medicine. He was promoted to assistant professor in December of 1951. On July 1st, 1958 he gave up his teaching job and became a writer. Finally in 1979 he was promoted to professor (9). Being a very diligent writer Asimov wrote more than eight hours a day, seven days a week. Although he was also preoccupied with writing he made time to get out and do things. In 1971 he joined the Dutch Treat Club. They were a group who met every Tuesday at a hotel for lunch. Another group, which Asimov was a part of, was the Baker Street Irregulars. This was a group of Sherlock Holmes fans. And although Asimov admitted to not liking Holmes that much he did love to make toasts and speeches at banquets. One of his favorite things to do was sing and he belonged to 2 other groups the Gilbert and Sullivan Society. There were two additional societies, which Asimov belonged to that influenced some of his stories (10). At the young age of eleven years old Asimov began writing. With his first attempt at writing he began The Greenville Chums at College. This was a story based on the lives of 3 young boys living in a small town. At first Asimov gave up writing, for he did not think he knew what he was doing. However, his whole attitude changed when at school one day he told the story he had written. His friend was impressed with it and wanted to borrow the book when Asimov finished it. This gave Asimov the confidence he needed to begin a writing career that would last a lifetime. Asimovs first published writing was in his high schools newspaper column. He wrote a humorous story called Little Brothers.(12) Asimovs first published story was in 1939 it was entitled Marooned Off Vesta. This story was featured in the magazine Astounding Science Fiction. The astounding publisher of this magazine was John W. Campbell Jr. He and Asimov had a close relationship and it was this that gave Asimov his beginning of a prosperous career. Asimov wrote mainly science fiction stories about robots. His