Jimi Hendrix - Black Legacy - NEWS

RIP Sheldon Reynolds!!!

Fri, 26 May 2023 04:29:44 GMT

Sheldon Reynolds - Awesome musician, lover of Science, Family Man, great Guy!!

Sheldon has been a part of some legendary groups - SUN, Earth Wind and Fire, and The Commodores. He also always showed love to Jimi Hendrix. He was briefly married to Janie Hendrix, Jimi's adopted step-sister and CEO of Experience Hendrix. It was during this time that he was able to put together the musical project called Power of Soul, a tribute to Hendrix utilizing a wide array of musical legends from many genres. He even got Velvert Turner to play briefly (unknowingly) on a track. Sheldon was kind enough to be interviewed by myself, which was later used in Jimi Hendrix Black Legacy. In honor of his memory, here's the interview in its entirety.

Sept. 18th at 7 PM EST - ERNIE ISLEY will be on a Panel Discussing Jimi's Black Legacy (www.soul-patrol.com) Click Link to register.

Sun, 12 Sep 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Click here to Register for the events.

Check out my new PODCAST - NYC to the AUG (Episode 1)

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 05:52:05 GMT

NEW PODCAST called NYC to the AUG. Occasionally, I'll be speaking about Jimi Hendrix.anchor.fm/corey-washington9

https://anchor.fm/corey-washington9

Also available on SPOTIFY: open.spotify.com/show/0Oomyid15q2QtkpzL1ZKpN

https://open.spotify.com/show/0Oomyid15q2QtkpzL1ZKpN

R.I.P. The Original FOXEY LADY - Lithofayne (Faye) Pridgnon

Sun, 06 Jun 2021 04:41:04 GMT

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

Jimi's 50th Year Memorial Celebration - Seattle, WA 9/18/2020

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 01:28:40 GMT

Jimi Hendrix’s 50th Memorial Celebration in Seattle’s Central District and Beyond.

As a historian, I am always keenly aware of important observances, anniversaries, and memorials concerning historical events of significance to me. One such event that I had marked on my mental calendar for the last 10 years, just came and went, the 50th memorial of the untimely death of Jimi Hendrix. Friday, September 18th, 1970 marked 50 years of not having Jimi Hendrix’s physical presence on this earth. It does not even feel like 50 years, because his impact and imprint are so ubiquitous. It feels like he is still among the living.
I knew that I wanted to be in Seattle for that weekend and made plans far in advance to be there. As a bonus, Tina Hendrix, Leon's daughter, was holding a three-day festival in Jimi's honor. This took place at the Jimi Hendrix Park in Jimi's old stomping grounds of Seattle’s Central District. I was able to attend all three days, although it rained profusely on Friday and parts of Saturday. Despite the rain and challenges of a global pandemic, the show went on, and overall, it was a memorable event.

On Friday, they featured the main musical guests of Juma Sultan, Marcus Machado, Randy Hansen, and Jimi's little brother, Leon Hendrix. On Saturday, things were geared towards the youth, as multiple hip hop and R&B acts took the stage. On Sunday, it was a mix of acts that featured folk, rock, rap, and R&B. In addition to the music, there was also an African fashion show on Friday , which combined African drumming and dancing. All of these events, combined with sprinkles of mask compliance drama, made for a riveting three days in Jimi's park.

I was able to sell my latest Jimi Hendrix book Jimi Hendrix Black Legacy and met quite a few interesting people. I met a lady that wanted to write a book on the black hippies of Seattle, as well as a young brother that wanted to produce a Jimi Hendrix documentary. Both of them brought my books and I pledged my support for both of their endeavors. I also went to Jimi’s old high school, Garfield, and donated a book to the Media Center . Although there were no kids there, I was able to meet up with the media specialist and a coach, which also resulted in a photo op.

Before all of the festivities, I was able to visit Jimi's elaborate grave site on Thursday. I had been there at least three or four times before, so it was more of a reflex at this point. For some strange reason I never really felt that his body was on the premises, but rather, the whole setup was something for us to remember him via all the imagery on the marble , which includes his pictures and lyrics. I tried not to dwell on the fact that I know he was murdered, but it did creep into my mind every now and then.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Seattle, as I got to take in wisdom and knowledge from Juma Sultan (Woodstock percussionist), one of Jimi's friends through thick and thin. We hung out for four days straight. A special highlight of my trip was getting to see some of Leon's drawings of his brother at his daughter Tina's house. That weekend, I also met Maishah Hendrix and her son. Maishah helped Tina to organize the event and was a calming influence on the whole weekend. It was great to see the Hendrix family come together to pay tribute to Jimi. Another connection that I was excited to make was with Marcus Machado. He is a great young musical talent out of New York City, influenced by Jimi. Ever since I have discovered his music, I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve heard. He made the trip with his sister and musical collaborator, Vicky Casis.

That is really what events like this are all about, meeting like-minded people influenced by Jimi, connecting with them, and enjoying great music. In essence, that is what Jimi was all about. He connects so many people through his music and life, which is one of the many facets that make him such a powerful force. Here is to the next 50 years of his influence !!!

Princespiration [Josephine Baker Relation;as Hendrix] 1999/83'

Sun, 15 Dec 2019 08:38:33 GMT

RSS Feed

By EV9

The first full year back in the city where I was born marked a series of changes, half traumatic, half profound. In the early part of 1983, I would learn of my relation to Josephine Baker (mentioned matter-of-factly). Having no idea of her impact on American culture, of course, she seemed obscure, opposed to the stories I would be told by an elder.

Prince himself would copy aspects of her [location, Josephine was famous in Nice, France. The look he donned in several scenes of Under The Cherry Moon. I wonder if that was the sole reason he insisted the film was released in Black & White?] decades later I would realize. Their birthdays are a few days apart. I must also add, my grandmother and great aunt were Tom Jones fans. After seeing him in Kansas City a few weeks before my birth, they insisted that I be named after him(LOL)!!!! The irony of Tom and Prince is uncanny, they also share the same birthday.

Sometimes in the Spring, I would sell a cousin on the idea of letting me borrow her 1999 L.P. She was more of an M.J. fan than Prince, that angle was used to render the double-disc. I wound up keeping that. I have No Clue, why I was "allowed" to listen to it, the lyrical content was not suitable for any child, especially in Catholic School; at the same time, I "seriously" considered becoming A Priest.

We were living with my grandmother, who didn't seem to care how loud I played the stereo she won from the showcase of The Price Is Right (on her birthday Jan.1982). Let's Pretend We're Married, was played the most during this period. D.M.S.R.got a lot of play, early on. This was the 1st full-length album I'd ever heard (not the 1st I acquired). I bought P-Funk Live [Earth Tour], mistakenly for my 5th-grade graduation party in Los Angeles. It was at this liquor store, and it would get my attention,being the 1st thing I noticed every time I walked in to get my mother's cigarettes. Like an idiot, I asked to put it on, "That's old". Later that Fall, I tried to listen to it, I only liked the part where George told the band to "Double It Up", on Mothership Connection.

Summer of 83', when Michael Jackson's, "Beat It" was dominating MTV I made my way around to The Track, that would change my life.........

#Parliment #PFunkEarthTour #PFunkLive #JosephineBaker #BeatIt #MichaelJackson #TomJones #ThePriceIsRight

TO BE CONTINUED

Princespiration [Hendrix Preclude] Part 2 (by ev9)

Sun, 08 Dec 2019 04:46:42 GMT

I have No Idea, how long the wait actually was(in a hot/cramped 65' Mustang), but I wound up falling asleep. I woke to a very loud thud of the passenger car (which this guy's brother was sitting) slamming, I said:" I didn't get to meet him !!!". This crass m.f. said, "You fell asleep, we tried to wake you !!!" I didn't believe that to be true.

Fast forward to the Summer of 1982, my mother F-I-N-A-L-L-Y left this dude (stealing the car he rented), I Did Not Like BUT only having traveled the breadth of the entire country with him. We returned to my hometown[in which I wasn't "officially" reared until this period]. Here, my personal/social existence would dramatically shift"inward" from the life I once knew (and preferred) in L.A. (and to a certain degree Honolulu).

Although I was a reckless, adventurous child(who lived to be Dared)in the previous places we lived St.Louis would render me a depressed socially awkward introvert, with an opportunity to meet music(unobstructed).I had an early love for drums, my uncle had a set(which you could hear him playing 1/2 a block away); I would always grab his sticks. There was a pic of me at 3, playing a wind-up Snoopy guitar.

Mom used to "promise" to have me take lessons, but she was too consumed with the "Night Life" which seduced most people in Los Angeles. The last quarter of 1982 would force me to"sit still" and focus. This was often said in an apartment complex,1/4 of a block away from where Fishbone would rehearse[I would learn decades later].

Music "sounded" different to me in the Midwest, it seemed to have more intensity. The Time and Vanity 6 were constantly on the radio. I had no idea they were Prince produced. I remember The Time songs in L.A.[on, "Dance to the music;1580 KDAY!!"], but never knew it was the same group.

One of the major shifts would include attending Catholic School(which would have a life-long effect). I remember my mother making a concerted effort to enroll me and my sister in L.A., but the waiting list was too long.1999 was one of the 1st "45's" I bought. A then classmate(who would later become a Billy Cox-like bandmate) later raved about his excitement for the upcoming show on December 2nd.

I don't know "why" I didn't ask for a ticket (maybe because no one had a car and it was my 1st concert), but I remember that Friday night I sat in the dark of my grandmother's living room again disappointed. A similar disappointment would happen about a year later when Run DMC would play a High School exactly 1 mile away from where we lived.

#princeblog #princenews #purplecurrent #prince1999deluxe #fishbone #KDAY #losangeles #LA #1982

Get the Jupiter Cannons CD here: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/ev9

Princespiration [Hendrix Preview] Part 1

Thu, 05 Dec 2019 01:06:14 GMT

EV9 - Author (1/2 of Jupiter Cannons)
I was somewhat of an Army Brat, but after my parents divorced(at age 6), my mother moved us 20 times more in a 6 1/2 year period. The move spanned from outside of the continental United States(Hawaii)to Stanford Connecticut, finally settling in the place where I was born.

The second state we would wind up living after the dissolution of marriage was Los Angeles. I remember her asking me, "How long do you want to stay", I said"2 weeks".Two weeks would turn into 4 years. What would turn out to be our final months in L.A.(an experience I could produce a movie about)a noticeably younger guy my mother was seeing, would talk to me about his "connections" in Hollywood.

One of them was Prince. I wasn't a fan at this time, and remember having a conversation with some hilarious Asian friends of mine(not long before)which concluded in his sexuality not being"straight"(to put it nicely). I assume this was brought to my attention, shortly after his Rolling Stones debacle.

A month or so before our very abrupt move from The "Sh#tty of Angeles"[having lived around the city I began to realize Gangs were spreading], the boyfriend asked if I wanted to meet Prince. I accepted. Meeting "celebs" wasn't a thing for me, my mother dated a couple of Black celebrities(I would learn later)tended to live in "the hood" then.

As the time approached, I let this girl know, and to my surprise, she didn't know who Prince was, so I sang the "only" two songs I knew, "Controversy" and"I Wanna Be Your Lover".I was in "year-around" school then, so when the guy showed up with his brother, we drove to a part of Los Angeles, I wasn't familiar with.

It was an apartment complex, they got out and told me to wait, in the car......

#prince #1999prince #losangeles #princerollingstones #1980s #1999deluxe #1982 #princeblog #princearticle #meetingprince #princenews
Courtesy of the new jimi hendrix book - jimi hendrix black legacy
www.jimibl.com
Get the prince/hendrix inspired Jupiter cannons project @
store.cdbaby.com/cd/ev9

RSS Feed

Band of Gypsys - Inducted into the 2019 R&B HOF Class

Fri, 05 Jul 2019 22:16:59 GMT

On Sunday, June 23rd in Detroit, Michigan, the Band of Gypsys (Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Miles, and Billy Cox) were inducted into the 2019 class of the R&B Hall of Fame. Billy Cox's BOG's Experience with Dani Robinson on guitar and Richie Monica on drums, were able to perform two songs before the BOG's were inducted. Billy Cox, the only surviving member of the group, was on hand to accept his honor, as well as give a speech. Representatives of the Miles and Hendrix estate accepted on their behalf. A big thanks goes to Lamont Robinson and the R&B Selection Committee. Now sights are set on inducting the BOG's into the Rock and Roll HOF.

Make sure you sign the petition at: www.gopetition.com/petitions/induct-jimi-hendrix-and-the-band-of-gypsys-into-the-rb-hall-of-fame.html me.html or join the FB page dedicated to those efforts for updates at: www.facebook.com/BOGHOF

Band of Gypsys will be inducted into the 2019 RB HOF Class!

Sat, 20 Apr 2019 16:52:25 GMT

We have HUGE news to announce!!! The Band of Gypsys will be inducted into the RB Hall of Fame on June 23rd (Sunday) in Detroit, MI. Thanks goes to the the Band of Gypsys community, especially those of you who have signed and shared the petition. Thank you Lamont Robinson and the RB HOF Selection Committee for recognizing a group, that has impacted so many musicians and fans, all around the world. It is very fitting that this honor be bestowed before the 50 yr anniversary of the landmark live concerts that changed the world of music, forever (Fillmore East Dec. 31st, 1969-Jan. 1st, 1970). A big congrats to the Last Gypsy standing Billy Cox, the Estate of Buddy Miles, as well as the Estate of Jimi Hendrix.
Click here to purchase tickets to the event: (Tickets)tickets

A new perspective???

Mon, 14 Jan 2019 19:00:28 GMT

It's not really a new perspective, but rather one that has been brushed to the side and marginalized - A BLACK PERSPECTIVE on JIMI HENDRIX.

Greetings, my name is Corey Washington. I am an author, educator, and music historian that specializes in researching and analyzing Jimi Hendrix from an AA/Black/POC (Person of Color) view. When I first starting learning about Jimi Hendrix, most of the material was presented from a non-black perspective, with a European slant. I eventually found Curtis Knight, David Henderson, and Greg Tate's books on Jimi, but other than the Ghetto Fighters/Aleems and his father Al and brother Leon Hendrix's book, there wasn't much else written about Jimi from a Black POV.

It is important to get the Black narrative when writing about Jimi because, well, he is a Black person that grew up in the predominately Black Central District of Seattle, WA. I always wondered why the narrative around Hendrix was always: He grew up poor and black, but then he left playing R&B on the Chitlin' Circuit and started playing Rock. He was then rescued by Linda Keith and Chas Chandler, transported to the magical land of Merry Ol' England and transformed into this mythical figure. This has led to some confusion from some Hendrix aficionados about Hendrix's feelings about his own race and culture. Some have even gone so far as to suggest that Hendrix didn't see himself as BLACK!!!

The simple truth of the matter is - Jimi Hendrix was a BLACK MAN and never saw himself as anything but, a BLACK MAN. He didn't discriminate and loved people from all races, which is how everyone should be, but he separated himself from many Black people due to his creativity and his instrument of choice, the electric guitar, which was being underutilized in Black Music for most of his adult life. Instead of complaining, Jimi eventually infused his deep Black musical roots into contemporary Rock and changed music as we knew it.

With my research, I want to uncover many hidden or obscured truths about the relationship between Jimi and the Black Community. I don't want to give everything away, so I'll wait until my book, Jimi Hendrix - Black Legacy comes out. I look forward to a robust and informative dialog with the Jimi Hendrix community and music community at-large. I'll make a more formal announcement concerning the official release date via a pres release in the Feb-Mar of 2019.

Corey A. Washington