Surviving Hendrix

For some reason, I've had this weird idea floating around in my head recently: WI Jimi Hendrix survived his drug overdose in 1970, BUT it made him realize he needed to get off drugs? He goes into rehab and cleans up. What happens now? Does he go on in music? Could he enter politics and become a success?
 
For some reason, I've had this weird idea floating around in my head recently: WI Jimi Hendrix survived his drug overdose in 1970, BUT it made him realize he needed to get off drugs? He goes into rehab and cleans up. What happens now? Does he go on in music? Could he enter politics and become a success?

While I would really like a few more Hendrix good albums to listen to, I don't think he could make it through the 1980s drug free. The music industry is going to move in its Disco and then pop direction no matter what. The popularity of his music is going to fade a bit just like all the other 60s rock act during that time. Thats going to put huge amounts of stress on him. He loved the spot light, it is going to be extremely hard for him to stay out of the drug culture that becomes a way of life for music and Hollywood Celebs during that time. You also have to take in account his famous temper. What happens when he beats up another girlfriend in the 1980s? I doubt she's going to take it like the 1960's women. I bet she sues him. Would he become as disliked as Ike Turner? And then you have to think about his active love of casual sex. The 1980s are going to see AIDS/HIV. Would we lose him like we did Freddy Mercury?

Sadly I think it was for the best that he died young at the top of his game. I'd hate to think of Hendrix dying on a toilet a fat has been like Elvis, or freak like Michael Jackson.
 
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The ultimate tragedy of Hendrix surviving into old age wouldn't just be the pitfalls of the coming eras that you mentioned, those could well be a factor though. It can be summed up in two words "stone deaf".

Jimi's live rig would be considered loud even by today's somewhat jaded standards, almost as loud as a shuttle launch. In the sixties hearing protection wasn't on anyone's radar. He would suffering from major hearing loss by now.
 
The ultimate tragedy of Hendrix surviving into old age wouldn't just be the pitfalls of the coming eras that you mentioned, those could well be a factor though. It can be summed up in two words "stone deaf".

Jimi's live rig would be considered loud even by today's somewhat jaded standards, almost as loud as a shuttle launch. In the sixties hearing protection wasn't on anyone's radar. He would suffering from major hearing loss by now.

Are you sure he was suffering from hearing loss? It wouldn't surprise me one bit, but I've never read that. I read Ozzy Osborn wears hearing aids now as do many older rockers. In my mind the question has always been, "Was it the loud music, the drugs, or just plain old age that causes it? I once read drug abuse can cause hearing problems. I believe that is what got that radio talk guy Russ Limbuagh.

But I think Ted Nugent toured with Hendrix and he us still playing so some artists made it without going deaf.
 
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He didn't die of illegal drugs. He accidentally overdosed on sleeping pills and choked on his own vomit. So as long as he didn't go beyond grass and acid, I don't see much of a problem.

Anyway, before his death, he was working on an album called "Black Gold". So that would have gotten released. Also, take, for example, all the posthumous albums and songs released after his death, and the ones which the Hendrix family has been releasing on their albums in place of those earlier posthumous albums; all those songs would have seen a release, many perhaps on Black Gold. It is also something of note that "Gypsy Sun and Rainbows", the group that replaced the Experience, would have gotten quite a longer life.

Really, Hendrix was only famous for like 3 years. He had so much to give, and had so much more to do. I would call "Electric Lady Land" his "Sgt. Pepper's", and think he could only go up.
 
He becomes a founding member of the supergroup Hendrix, Emerson, Lake and Palmer or "HELP".

Seriously. It almost happened.
 
Is the best case for a (mostly?) cleaned up Hendricks (with an anger management class certificate?) something like an Eric Clapton-ish career curve?

(Note: this is not a who's a better guitarist commentary or debate.)

Of the great guitarists to come out of the late 60's I don't really see him permanently joining a super group ala Jimmy Page. But maybe (maybe) getting together for a couple years/couple albums with some collaborators. He'd certainly be way more successful than someone like Jeff Beck.
 
While I would really like a few more Hendrix good albums to listen to, I don't think he could make it through the 1980s drug free. The music industry is going to move in its Disco and then pop direction no matter what. The popularity of his music is going to fade a bit just like all the other 60s rock act during that time. Thats going to put huge amounts of stress on him.

Sadly I think it was for the best that he died young at the top of his game. I'd hate to think of Hendrix dying on a toilet a fat has been like Elvis, or freak like Michael Jackson.

Oh, I think you forgot about the First Rennaisance of Guitar Rock in the form of the few good acts of Hair Metal, not to mention the rise of Experimental Instrumental Rock of the likes of Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. Imagine if you will a late '80s benefit concert with the finale being a five-way guitar battle between Hendrix, Vai, Satriani, Slash, and Eddie Van Halen!

I also think that his career could get a shot in the arm (so to speak) if he was in either Blues Brothers movie, the way it did Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles, and B. B. King. And the likes of Dream Syndicate, Lenny Kravitz and Jack White might actually intern under him (or try to). Then again, he might denounce them as "plagiarists" and "frauds" the way Joanni Mitchell has done to the likes of Natalie Merchant, Alannis Morrisette, Averil Lavigne, Michelle Branch, Dido, and even Gwen Stefani!

The real question is, would he stay with Fender even through the "bad years" of the mid-70s to early-80s, or would he move to the multi-humbucker Dark Side of Kramer, ESP, Schrechter, or Ibanez?
 
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I think he would've branched out to new styles and genres, dabble in a bit of funk, etcetera. Too bad the world has never experienced Hendrix New Wave, that would've been great without a doubt.
 
If Hendrix survives, then maybe he could make the legendary could have-been album he was planning to make with Miles Davis and Paul McCartney.
 

hammo1j

Donor
What about Jimi Hendrix goes back to his paratrooper roots, renounces drugs forever and decides that he's going to become a a a candidate for the Republican party.

He Rises to the top and soon becomes defence secretary. He is suggests new policy in Vietnam that means America wins
 
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