Jimi Hendrix’s Death: What Happened?
Jimi Hendrix's sudden and tragic death in 1970 left a void in the world of music that remains unfilled to this day.
“Music is a safe kind of high.”
— Jimi Hendrix
Born James Marshall Hendrix on November 27, 1942, in Seattle, Washington, Jimi Hendrix emerged as an unparalleled rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter.
Rising to prominence after his captivating performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, Hendrix solidified his legacy with his third studio album, Electric Ladyland, which became his most commercially successful release. Some of his iconic songs include “Purple Haze,” “Hey Joe,” “Crosstown Traffic,” and “The Wind Cries Mary.”
Despite a career that spanned just four years, Hendrix became the highest-paid performer globally and headlined legendary festivals like Woodstock in 1969 and the Isle of Wight in 1970. At the time of his death, Hendrix had an estimated net worth of $5 million.
How did Jimi Hendrix die?
Hendrix died on September 18, 1970, in the apartment of his German girlfriend, Monika Dannemann, at the Samarkand Hotel located in Notting Hill, London.
He died as a result of barbiturate-related asphyxia, which means he did not get enough oxygen because of taking too many drugs. The megastar was only 27 years old when he died, placing him among the ranks of the infamous “27 Club” of musicians who died young.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the lethal combination of fame and substance abuse that has claimed the lives of many rock legends.
Burial
Over two hundred people attended the funeral. Civilians and celebrities came to pay their respects.
Hendrix was buried at Greenwood Memorial Park in Renton, Washington, close to his hometown of Seattle. The site has since become a pilgrimage destination for fans wanting to pay their respects to one of rock history’s most influential figures.
