Conversation so far:
Where did Jimi Hendrix spend his childhood?
The Hendrix family frequently moved, staying in cheap hotels and apartments around Seattle.
Why did the Hendrix family move to Seattle?
What was Jimi Hendrix's ancestry?
Jimi Hendrix had a diverse heritage. His paternal grandmother, Zenora Nora Rose Moore, was African American and one-quarter Cherokee.
How did Jimi Hendrix feel about his Cherokee heritage?
What was Jimi Hendrix's ancestry on his mother's side?
Jimi's maternal grandfather was Preston Jeter, whose mother was born in similar circumstances as Bertran Philander Ross Hendrix.
Did Jimi Hendrix's heritage play a large role in his upbringing?
During Al Hendrix's three-year absence, Lucille struggled to raise their son.

Question: Why was he absent?
Self-contained rewrite: Why was Al Hendrix absent from Jimi Hendrix's life for three years?