Starting At Zero: His Own Story
Hendrix’s revolutionary music remains potent and compelling more than four decades after his early death, and new material continues to surface, adding dimension to his profound legacy. Documentary filmmaker Neal and record producer Douglas have astutely and seamlessly assembled Hendrix’s long-scattered writings into a confiding, funny, and wrenching memoir of a life lived on the edge and passionately devoted to music and freedom. Here is Hendrix unmediated in his caustic wit, anger over prejudice, and belief in the freeing power of the imagination. Hendrix remembers his lonely Seattle childhood and his Indian grandmother’s ­poverty-stricken reservation. He hated school, the army, and as a self-taught, hungry, itinerant sideman, the militaristic rule of Little Richard. To his amazement, he found liberation in England. In thoughtful and expressive letters, lyrics, interviews, and reflections, Hendrix illuminates his dreams, love of science fiction and fairy tales, the stories behind his songs and now-legendary performances, and the surreal highs and lows of touring and stardom. Always ahead of the curve, Hendrix wryly pondered death: When I die, just keep on playing the records. --Donna Seaman