Hendrix: Hype or genius

Let me ask you. Who according to you is the greatest guitarist of all time? Come on take your time. Clapton? Slash? McLaughlin?
If you look up most polls about the greatest guitarist of all times, most often then not one name tops the list. James Marshall Hendrix. While most people like you or me wouldn’t doubt that there is the odd argument that there were guitarist much more advanced than him both when he was alive and even post his demise. Then why is it that he is considered the greatest?

The answer is quite straightforward. Other guitarists had the power to evoke emotions and inspire us no doubt. They could even make the troubles of the times evident for us. But what Hendrix did was a step further. Through his playing not only did he evoke these emotions or make the hardships more evident but it also spoke of something greater. Hope. Hope against oppression and discrimination. Hope against the mundane. His music had the hope that change was possible. Things didn’t have to be this way or that way. We all have the power to bring that change. As Hendrix said in an interview with Dick Cavett, “We want our sound to go into the soul of the audience, and see if it can awaken some little thing in their minds. Cause there are so many sleeping people.”
Once he got his hands on his Stratocaster he was no longer just an overdosed rockstar. He was much more than that. It’s amazing to think that a wiry black man back in the 60’s could be such a big deal. Dominating a genre of music until than considered a white man’s music.

Some would say that Hendrix, like many other artists who died prematurely received undue glory.
As much I hate to admit it this point cannot be denied. As hendrix himself one said, “It’s funny how most people love the dead. Once you’re dead, you’re made for life.” Think about it. Had Jim Morrison not died at 27 and lived on would we acknowledge The Doors as we do today. Doesn’t his death add to the mystique of The Doors? There’s always that what if factor of curiousity that draws more and more people. One cannot help but fathom about how different music would be if there were around for longer.  

All said and done. Hendrix was a genius. He changed the way the guitar was played and opened up new avenues for guitarists all over. The electric guitar was never quite the same again. His revolutionary use of effects such as the Fuzz & Wah-wah pedal  and of course his whammy bar abuse paved the way for future guitar heroes such Eddie Van Halen  & Joe Satriani.Four decades on his music still inspires musicians young and old. 

I can still remember getting goosebumps the first time I heard the intro to purple haze or playing air guitar to machine gun. Even if he is a hype all I can say is believe it.