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The lady of many names, some of which are: Fay, Fayne, Faytoe, Faye, Lithofayne, Pridgon, Pridgeon, Pridgnon (correct spelling of her Last name), and Foxey Lady. In her later years, she became what some would describe as reclusive, tucked away from most prying eyes in Las Vegas. As the famous saying goes, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. This must have been a real sticking point for Fayne.
The last major article written on her was in 2015 by a British periodical The Guardian. Once again, most of the article focused on the many famous musical men in her life: Little Willie John, Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye, Sly Stone, and of course, Jimi Hendrix. But as we reflect on the extraordinary life of the inspiration for Jimi’s song Foxey Lady, I thought it would be more appropriate to keep the focus on Fayne. Born in 1940, in a small southern Georgia town called Moultrie, she would soon be whisked away to the epicenter of African American culture, 1950’s Harlem. There, she would rub elbows with the who’s who of the R&B world and be forever linked with a young sideman guitarist, soon to be an international and iconic legend, Jimi Hendrix. Although she was linked to numerous other R&B legends, including her good friend Etta James, people would often ask about her relationship with Hendrix the most, culminating in her scene stealing interview for the 1973 documentary about Jimi Hendrix. This is where most of us in the Hendrix Community really fell in love with Fayne, including Jerome Preston Bates, who developed a 12-year friendship with her. I asked him to say a few words on this cherished relationship: “I remember when I first saw her in the 1973 documentary, A film about Jimi Hendrix. You couldn’t take your eyes off of her. She talked about Jimi with so much Joy and remembrance of great times. In 2005, I was directing Seven Guitars by August Wilson at North Carolina A&T. I was interviewed by a local DJ about the production, as well as my career. I spoke about some of the plays I’d written, and I spoke about my play Electric Lady that featured Fayne as a character. The DJ said she knew her daughter and might be able to get me in touch with her. It wasn’t much later that I had received an email with Fayne’s email. I remembered being very excited and immediately wrote Fayne. She answered with her phone number and that began a 12-year communication with Fayne. She was always open, honest and almost immediately began to share her Harlem years with Jimi. She spoke about meeting Jimi around Harlem, and the times they stayed together and hung out. She also spoke about a subway ride with the cat in the bag. It turns out that Jimi was trying to transport a cat in a large envelope that Fayne had gotten from her mother. She spoke about living at the Cecil Hotel in Harlem above Minton’s Jazz Club with Jimi. She spoke about growing up in southern Georgia. I believe her dad was a tap dancer with Count Basie’s Orchestra. She was quite an accomplished singer and writer of songs and stories herself, and not just a groupie who knew musicians. She was a very attractive, yet streetwise woman, who was very straight forward and no nonsense. She told it like it was! Sometimes when I called, we hardly spoke about Jimi. The conversation centered around family, life, and her recording history (some of her music is on YouTube). I know she was in communication with a publisher to publish her book, but she was adamant about getting the right deal, due to having met some vultures. I never wanted anything from her but friendship and conversation, and that she shared freely. I called her last about mid-March (2021). She answered the phone and said: “I just wanted to pick up and speak briefly Jerome, but I’m not feeling well these days.” I responded: “Fayne I won’t hold you any longer, but I’ll call and check on you.” I called about three times afterwards, but I didn’t get an answer. When I got the news that maybe Fayne had passed, I knew she was gone. Her voice grew weaker throughout those 12 years, unstable, but beautiful just the same. I wish I could call her today, but I’m grateful for the conversations we had. 🙏🏽💜🎸 (Jerome will be writing a book about his experiences and will include more detailed information about Fayne when it’s published.) The news about Fayne’s passing also hit TaharQa Aleem hard. He was there in the early days in Harlem, when Jimi, Fayne, and The GhettoFighters (Albert/Arthur Allen – Tunde/TaharQa Aleem) painted the town Purple. He’s the only one left from that crew. He was able to put a beautiful heartfelt tribute together for Fayne: "Angel came down from heaven yesterday, she stayed with me just long enough to rescue me.” – Jimi Hendrix “It was in January of 1966; I had just received my discharge from military duty in the US Army and couldn't wait to return home. When I arrived, my twin brother, Arthur, introduced me to a girlfriend he was dating, she called herself Faye. Little did I know, this young, beautiful girl called Faye would guide Arthur and me, two hardheaded, ghetto grunts, and a tumble weed guitarist she introduced us to, named Jimi Hendrix, thru her enchanted world of awe and wonderment. We are the products of her love and mentorship. When young men are on a quest for greatness, the endeavor is hastened when an angel calls you "special", and showers you with love and encouragement. Faye was our angel, and we were her lovers. She joined us together, Jimi, Arthur and me. She ordained and bound our friendship with her affection. She made each one of us, collectively and individually feel like we were special in her eyes. Her only compulsory requisite was that we allowed ourselves to be guided by the act of unconditional love. And so, we listened, we learned, and we evolved in Faye's love. "Then she spread her wings high over me, she said, I'm going now, but I'll come back tomorrow, and I said, fly on my sweet Angel.” – Jimi Hendrix The Hendrix world has lost another library of knowledge and wisdom. Let us cherish the links to the past that we still have with us. Corey Washington Author of Jimi Hendrix Black Legacy www.jimibl.com www.jimibl.com
13 Comments
Mario st dehaven aka "black james" from laguna beach
6/6/2021 01:19:46 pm
She was a beautiful woman and Jimi loved her in his own way. Sad to hear about her leaving us.
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Yusef_Blkamoor
6/6/2021 02:54:05 pm
What a Love Stoty, the History of Black Music...
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Rufus Thompson
6/6/2021 05:54:39 pm
As soon as Faye's beautiful and radiant face appears onscreen of the Jimi Hendrix movie,you instantly know why Jimi loved her! She was really and she believed in his otherworldly talent maybe before anyone else did...except Billy Cox! Fly on Foxy Angel Lady!!🥰
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Joyce
6/8/2021 01:55:39 am
Fayne was the most honest person I’ve ever known. We met back in 80’s Los Angeles and remained friends. She pulled no punches! That’s what endeared me to her. My condolences to her children and grands. My heart is very sad.
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8/26/2021 11:51:02 am
Thank you for sharing this information. I read your blog and I can't stop my self to read your full blog
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8/26/2021 09:38:48 pm
Thanks Mario, Yusef, Rufus, Joyce, GENF20 Plus, and ERON PLUS!!! Faye was a powerful figure in the world of music. I wish I had met her, but since I didn't get a chance, I have to rely on everyone's wonderful comments about her. Thanks for sharing!!
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Johnnie Mae Milton
4/19/2024 11:21:22 pm
I we to school with Faye in the early 1950 Moultrie GA she became my best friend the night she died I calls her I got no answer the next dayI her son call me and said she died in her sleep I left a voice message for her saying that she needs to call me back are I will be out there she was the last one are our group
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4/19/2024 11:32:15 pm
WOW! I'm glad you are still with us. I'm in Augusta GA and have never been to Moultrie. Thanks for sharing with us.
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Mario St DeHaven
4/20/2024 01:28:53 am
I often saw her and Jimi together in New York when I'd fly in from the west coast on my way up to the Hancock Estate in Millbrook to see Tim Leary Allen Ginsburg. She was fine as wine and Jimi was jealous and didn't like her associating with all the other famous musicians. I'm 78 now and it's difficult and frightening seeing everyone I grew up with and knew already deceased, many of them were younger than me. 4/20/2024 02:30:53 am
Did you know the twins TaharQa and Tunde Aleem ZKA Albert and Arthur Allen?
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mario
4/20/2024 03:15:51 pm
I met them once and seen them around many times, good musicians. I was one of Linda Keith's, Chas Chandler's and Keith Richard's friends but knew Jimi from the Chittlin Circuit when I played in Little Richard's All Star Band, which also featured Buddy and Stacy. The twins were regulars in the Village scene if I remember correctly, but I never seen them out west, only in New York. I also was good friends with Velvert Turner, matter of fact Hendrix paid for him to fly out to Hollywood and asked if I'd let Ververt live at my house in the Hollywood Hills. I got him a gig at the Whisky and introduced him to Arthur Lee. Good days back then.
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Corey Washington
4/20/2024 04:58:18 pm
WOW! Great history! Velvert Turner is another Unsung guy in the story of Hendrix. I was able to show him some love in my book. His album he put out was fascinating, with the uncanny resembalance to Jimi's vocal cadence. Leave a Reply. |
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