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The Jimi Hendrix 65th Birthday Bash
Ralph Woodson on KPIX-TV (pre-Bash)
On November 27, 2007, Jimi Hendrix would have turned 65 years old. To honor that milestone, I planned a Hendrix Birthday Bash at the legendary Book Passage in Corte Madera. You can watch the event here.
Greg Bridges and Steve Roby on KPFA
Greg Bridges and Steve Roby on KPFA
This time around I teamed up with guitarist Ralph Woodson. The San Francisco media was very responsive, and invited Ralph and I on several shows for interviews. First up was Berkeley's KPFA. Host Rickey Vincent asked me to come on his annual Hendrix birthday tribute show and we played two hours of non-stop Jimi on November 23. Sorry you couldn't make it Rickey. You can hear the program here.
On Saturday November 24, KPIX-TV (CBS San Francisco) invited Ralph and I on the Weekend Morning News. Both the producer and the anchor were big Hendrix fans, however, I don't think the rest of the crew were ready to hear the "Star Spangled Banner" played very loud at 7:30 in the morning. At one point they wanted Ralph to wrap it up, but he just kept on playing. Watch the video here. (Coming soon!) KCBS-AM did an afternoon interview that same day. Listen here.
Steve Roby and Ben Fong Torres at KFRC-FM
Ben Fong-Torres, the venerable rock writer, author, radio host and San Francisco Chronicle radio columnist interviewed me for his weekly show Classic Hits Back Stage on KFRC-FM. Listen to the interview here. The interview ran on both Saturday and Sunday.
Ralph Woodson, Dave Morey, and Steve Roby at KFOG
Narada & Carlos "backstage" at Book Passage
Ralph Woodson, Dave Morey, and Steve Roby at KFOG
On Tuesday November 27, Ralph and I appeared KFOG's
morning show. We were on for about twenty minutes and Ralph played
"Castles Made of Sand" live.One listener, who just tuned in, thought it
was an unreleased version by Jimi. Listen to Ralph play and the rest of the interview. Later that day I did and interview with Steven Seaweed on KSAN-FM.
Narada & Carlos "backstage" at Book Passage
When Carlos Santana and Narada Michael Walden showed up, we knew it was going to be a very special evening.
Narada Michael Walden pumped up the crowd by leading a "Jimi Hendrix" cheer and reading the lyrics to "Are You Experienced."
Ralph Woodson played a heartfelt version of "Machine Gun/Star Spangled Banner" and received a standing ovation from the crowd. See more photos of Ralph here:
The air guitar contest had 10 participants, including several enthusiastic very young folks and one woman, competing for a prize purple electric guitar. All contestants were thrilled to receive gift bags with an assortment of Hendrix DVDs, CDs, posters, and stickers.
The crowd selected Don Davidson as the winner of the Air Guitar Contest. Don won a purple Dean Custom Zone guitar and case valued at over $400.
Next the crowd watched several rare videos from Steve's collection including this gem from 1965. Yes, that's Jimi on the far left playing with Little Richard's band on a TV show called Night Train. They're preforming "Shotgun," a big hit at the time by Jr. Walker.
Steve then spoke about his quest for Jimi's lost archives, and introduced Ralph Woodson.
Steve then spoke about his quest for Jimi's lost archives, and introduced Ralph Woodson.
Ralph Woodson played a heartfelt version of "Machine Gun/Star Spangled Banner" and received a standing ovation from the crowd. See more photos of Ralph here:
Ralph Woodson was AMAZING -
I've seen several folks cover Jimi - but nothing like THAT!
Niels Mortensen - via email
I've seen several folks cover Jimi - but nothing like THAT!
Niels Mortensen - via email
The air guitar contest had 10 participants, including several enthusiastic very young folks and one woman, competing for a prize purple electric guitar. All contestants were thrilled to receive gift bags with an assortment of Hendrix DVDs, CDs, posters, and stickers.
After the Air Guitar Contest, everyone celebrated enjoying cake and toasted Jimi with champagne. The crowd, consisting of about 200 devoted Hendrix fans, shared stories of Experience concerts they attended and treasured items in their collections.
The crowd of Hendrix fans at Book Passage
All photos by Francine Szymanoski
Bonus Material
Listen to a rare recording of Ralph Woodson recorded at San Francisco's Golden Gate Park at the 10th Jimi Hendrix Memorial Anniversary Concert, September 17, 1980.
The crowd of Hendrix fans at Book Passage
All photos by Francine Szymanoski
Bonus Material
Listen to a rare recording of Ralph Woodson recorded at San Francisco's Golden Gate Park at the 10th Jimi Hendrix Memorial Anniversary Concert, September 17, 1980.
View the poster for the Jimi Hendrix 50th Birthday Bash I produced in 1992.
