Introduction
When we think of Jimi Hendrix, we think of an incredible guitar player who revolutionized the music industry with his unique style and virtuosic performances. Hendrix was also known for his flamboyant stage presence, often wearing colorful clothing and performing stunts like playing his guitar with his teeth or setting it on fire.
One particular guitar has become synonymous with the image of Hendrix setting his instrument ablaze on stage. In this blog post, we are going to explore the history behind that guitar- what it is, how Hendrix got it, and what happened to it after he famously destroyed it.
What Rare Guitar Did Jimi Hendrix Set On Fire?
The guitar that Hendrix famously set on fire was a 1965 Fender Stratocaster, painted in a white finish with a maple neck. It was one of several Strats that Hendrix played throughout his career, but this particular instrument played a significant role in shaping his legacy- thanks to its association with his performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.
How Did Hendrix Get The Guitar?
Hendrix’s relationship with Fender guitars dates back to his time playing in New York’s Greenwich Village in the early 1960s. At that time, Fender was one of the most popular brands of electric guitars, thanks to their iconic Stratocaster model.
Hendrix quickly became a fan of the Stratocaster, citing the guitar’s versatility and playability as key factors in his decision to use it. As his career took off, he became known for his flamboyant style, which included playing his guitar with his teeth and behind his head. Hendrix’s use of the Stratocaster quickly became a hallmark of his sound and performance style.
The specific Stratocaster that Hendrix famously set on fire at the Monterey Pop Festival was one that he acquired in 1967. The guitar was custom-painted by artist Wolfgang von Frankenstein, who added a red and yellow swirl design to the guitar’s body, giving it a psychedelic look that perfectly matched the era’s free-spirited vibe.
What Was The Monterey Pop Festival?
The Monterey Pop Festival was a three-day music festival held in Monterey, California, in 1967. The festival was a seminal moment in the counterculture movement of the 1960s, and featured some of the era’s most important musical acts, including The Who, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, and of course, Jimi Hendrix.
Hendrix’s performance at Monterey was one of the highlights of the festival, thanks in large part to his showmanship and musical virtuosity. As the story goes, Hendrix had planned to set his guitar on fire earlier in the set, but changed his mind and decided to save it for the end.
What Happened When Hendrix Set The Guitar On Fire?
When Hendrix set the guitar on fire at the end of his set, it was a shock to the audience, many of whom had likely never seen anything like it before. But in many ways, it was a perfect coda to his performance, which had been full of energy and excitement.
The moment was captured on film, and the images of Hendrix setting his guitar ablaze quickly became iconic. In retrospect, the moment can be seen as a symbol of the era’s radicalism and free-spiritedness, as well as Hendrix’s own rebellious nature.
What Happened To The Guitar After It Was Destroyed?
After Hendrix’s set at Monterey, the guitar was in a state of disrepair- the neck had been completely burned off, and the body was severely damaged. Many people assumed that the guitar was lost forever, and that it had been completely destroyed in the flames.
However, as it turns out, the guitar survived- sort of. After the festival, the remains of the guitar were given to filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker, who had recorded Hendrix’s performance. Pennebaker kept the guitar for many years, and eventually sold it at auction in the 1990s.
Today, the remnants of Hendrix’s burned Stratocaster are owned by a private collector, who keeps them in a custom-made display case. While the guitar is no longer playable, it remains a symbol of Hendrix’s incredible career and the indelible mark he left on rock music.
Conclusion
Jimi Hendrix’s career was defined by his incredible guitar playing, his showmanship, and his willingness to push the boundaries of what was possible in music. The moment when he set his Fender Stratocaster on fire at the Monterey Pop Festival was a perfect encapsulation of all of those things, and it has become one of the most iconic moments in rock history.
Today, the guitar that Hendrix destroyed is still an object of fascination and reverence for music fans around the world. While it may no longer be playable, it remains a testament to Hendrix’s incredible legacy and his lasting impact on the music world.
Image Credit: Pexels