Although his mainstream career lasted only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential guitarists in history. In fact, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as "the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music."

At the age of fourteen, while helping his father with a side-job, Hendrix found a ukulele amongst the garbage they were removing from an older woman's home. She told him he could keep the instrument, which had only one string. Learning by ear, he played single notes, following along to Elvis Presley songs, particularly "Hound Dog".

Purple haze all in my brain
Lately things just don't seem the same
Actin' funny, but I don't know why
'Scuse me while I kiss the sky

When Jimi's mother died at the age of thirty-three, his father refused to take him to the funeral, instead giving him a shot of whiskey and telling him that was how men dealt with loss.

After acquiring an acoustic guitar at age fifteen, Hendrix formed his first band, the Velvetones. He quickly realized that he needed an electric guitar, as he could barely be heard over the sound of the group.

After joining the Rocking Kings in 1959, the first gig he played was at the National Guard Armory. Each member of the band earned 35 cents.

If I don't meet you no more in this world
Then I'll meet you in the next one
And don't be late, don't be late
'Cause I'm a voodoo child
Lord knows I'm a voodoo child

Before Hendrix was 19 years old, police had twice caught him riding in stolen cars. Given a choice between prison or joining the Army, he chose the latter and enlisted on May 31, 1961. Hendrix completed his paratrooper training in just over eight months and was awarded the prestigious Screaming Eagles patch, but his platoon sergeant filed a report in which he stated: "He has no interest whatsoever in the Army ... It is my opinion that Private Hendrix will never come up to the standards required of a soldier. I feel that the military service will benefit if he is discharged as soon as possible."

In addition to playing his guitar above his head, behind his back, and between his legs, Hendrix was able to play the strings with his teeth--all tricks he picked up from a fellow Seattle musician, Butch Snipes, who played guitar with a band called The Sharps.

Jimi managed to get through a total of only seven dates with the Monkees, culminating in his final show on July 17, 1967, which may or may not have ended with Hendrix saluting the crowd with his middle finger.