The WELL: inkwell.vue.312: Steven Roby, "Black Gold: The Lost Archives of Jimi Hendrix"

#154: What another day this takes: (oilers1972) Sun 2 Dec 07 11:30

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 11:30:00 PST

re #59:

About Motown crossing over, yes they did, but they came from a different perspective from Hendrix, Love, Sly, et al. Hendrix and the other aforementioned artists and groups were seen as part of the '60s counterculture (though the degree to which each group/artist considered themselves part of the counterculture differed) for better or for worse, whereas Motown was trying to appeal to a slightly older, more culturally conservative audience as well as to the teens. Because of this, those of you who were around at that time may recall that the counterculture (and the more Black Nationalistic types as well) had a lot of disdain for Motown, preferring the supposedly more authentically soulful (or more authentically "black" in their view) artists on the Stax label, or for the Chitlin' Circuit veterans. Hendrix of course was wildly popular with the counterculture; African-American fans who liked him generally did not admit it, at least not until after Hendrix died. And even then it was only a small group of aficionados, like George Clinton and Miles Davis.

And by the way, I myself am an African-American man who discovered Hendrix when I was a 6th grader back in 1978. After my fourth or fifth listen to my mother's copy of _Band Of Gypsys_, I knew I was never listening to disco again. And for my discovery of the music of Jimi Hendrix, I will forever be grateful. [Read entire topic]

#153: Cynthia Dyer-Bennet (cdb) Wed 28 Nov 07 11:07

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:07:00 PST

I'll add my thanks, too. It's been great to have you here! I hope you'll be able to stick around long enough to tell us about last night's party, Steve! [Read entire topic]

#152: Lisa Harris (lrph) Wed 28 Nov 07 10:43

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 10:43:00 PST

I hope the Birthday Bash was a huge success.

And the little birdy on the calendar also tells us that a new interview on the Inkwell is beginning today.

Thank you, Steven and Scott and all of you who participated in this lively discussion. This topic will remain open for continued discussion, if you'd like. [Read entire topic]

#151: Scott MacFarlane (s-macfarlane) Tue 27 Nov 07 13:17

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 13:17:00 PST

Good luck this evening and, tomorrow, let us know how Jimi's b'day bash goes. [Read entire topic]

#150: Steven Roby (jimijames) Mon 26 Nov 07 16:55

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:55:00 PST

>>For example, if I had the mono version of Axis:Bold As Love LP still in the cellophane, how would I go about figuring out what it's worth?

The original has come down in value since Experience Hendrix released a mono version a few years ago. At one time it was up in $300 + range. It's got a total different mix to. The japanese version is different too.

Shameless plug time for my event at Book Passage on 11/27/07

The Jimi Hendrix 65th Birthday Bash

ilestone, Hendrix biographer Steven Roby will be hosting a free Hendrix birthday bash/tribute at Book Passage (Corte Madera) on Tuesday, November 27.

The event will feature: * Introduction by Grammy winner Narada Michael Walden * A guitar give-away for the winner of the Air Guitar Contest * Live entertainment by guitarist Ralph Woodson * Trivia Contest with prizes * A video presentation of rare Jimi Hendrix clips * Free cake and beverages * Book signing by Steven Roby

Admission is free and it all happens on Tuesday November 27, 2007 at 7 p.m. Book Passage is located at 51 Tamal Vista Blvd. in Corte Madera. Their phone number is 415-927-0960.

You can watch the event the week after on: http://fora.tv/

To preview the event, on 11/27, guitarist Ralph Woodson and I will be on KFOG-FM, starting at 7:30 am. you can listen on the net at: http://www.kfog.com/listen/default.asp

Or on KSAN-FM at noon.

More info at: http://steveroby.com/ [Read entire topic]

#149: Scott MacFarlane (s-macfarlane) Mon 26 Nov 07 16:49

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:49:00 PST

Steve, in addition to the above question about the Hendrix collectors scene, can you tell us the details about tomorrow's 65th birthday celebration for Jimi Hendrix? Where will it be? Who will be there? etc.? [Read entire topic]

#148: John Ross (johnross) Sun 25 Nov 07 12:02

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 12:02:00 PST

And related to those questions, how much of that market is driven by Paul Allan's bottomless pockets? [Read entire topic]

#147: Scott MacFarlane (s-macfarlane) Sun 25 Nov 07 10:14

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 10:14:00 PST

Steve, you're obviously very knowledgable about the collector's market for Jimi Hendrix related items. Are there any organizations or clubs that help with verification of items? Or is this process fairly haphazard?

For example, if I had the mono version of Axis:Bold As Love LP still in the cellophane, how would I go about figuring out what it's worth?

You talked about Jimi's Strat bringing in a record sale from the Auctioneering house. What are some other items of Jimi's that have brought in surprising amounts. I know some guy bought the house Jimi grew up in in the Central District in Seattle and moved it to some other city. Any other odd Hendrix collectables? [Read entire topic]

#146: Steven Roby (jimijames) Sun 25 Nov 07 10:00

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 10:00:00 PST

>>I'm not convinced that Jimi ever took a trip from Seattle to Georgia when he was thirteen. Why wasn't there more mention of this from Jimi's family or Jimi?

There is no concrete evidence, but Jimi once said: "My brother and I used to go to different homes, because dad and mother used to break up all the time. I ran away a couple of times because I was so miserable. When my dad found out I'd gone he went pretty mad with worry. He hit me on the face and I ran away." When Jimi's parents were divorced in 1951, the boys (Jimmy and Leon) stayed with Al. It may have been possible that Jimi ran away with Lucille for a private road trip to the South when Leon was in a foster home, maybe with a man Al didn't like.

These lyrics from "Gypsy Eyes" seem to give a clue: I walk on up to your rebel roadside/the one that rambles on for a million miles/I walk down this road searchin' for your love and my soul too/when I find you I ain't gonna let go. I remember the first time I saw you/the tears in your eyes looked like they were trying to say/oh little boy you know I could love you/but first I must make my getaway/two strange men fightin' to the death over me today/I'll try to meet ya by the old highway.

>>Steve, with so many second and third hand accounts, how do you go about verifying (or debunking) the great body of data you've collected over the years on Jimi?

I ask the same question to as many people that were involved with the event. In "Black Gold" I shared all those opinions, and often let the reader draw their own conclusion; weigh the evidence. Take for example the single "My Diary" by Rosa Lee Brooks that Jimi plays guitar on. Rosa Lee's version is that Jimi came up with the melody and that she wrote the lyrics - "it was their baby." Yet when I interviewed Arthur Lee about the record, he stated that his name is credited on the label, AND what has Rosa Lee Brooks done since? Furthermore, said Lee, the line "even our birthday is on the same ol' day," refers to a girlfriend Arthur had whose birthday was on the 7th. He later wrote about her with the title "7 & & Is." I agree with Arthur, but I still let Rosa Lee have a voice. [Read entire topic]

#145: Scott MacFarlane (s-macfarlane) Sat 24 Nov 07 08:32

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 08:32:00 PST

<<a compilation of those witty stage remarks Hendrix made to qualm hecklers.>>

:=) Yeah, I want to hear how he set those 11 and 12-year old Monkees fans in their place: "scuse me while I k..." [Read entire topic]