Jimi Hendrix on the Message of His Music

This is an important statement from Hendrix, for it helps reveal what I think is a sometimes overlooked aspect of the legendary rock artist. Of course he helped revolutionize electric guitar, but at the core of Jimi was an amazing poetic soul, a visionary artist who truly believed in and spread his message that 'with the power of soul - anything is possible.'

"The background of our music is a spiritual-blues thing... we're making our music into electric church music - a new kind of Bible you carry in your hearts, one that will give you a physical feeling. We try to make our music so loose and hard-hitting so it hits your soul hard enough to make it open. [Rock] is more than music, it's like church, like a foundation for the lost or potentially lost,...we're trying to save the kids , to create a buffer between young and old. Our music is shock therapy to help them realize a little more of what their goals should be. We want them to realize that our music is just as spiritual as going to church. The soul must rule, not money or drugs. You should rule yourself and give God a chance...."

(-Jimi Hendrix 1968, p.201 Crosstown Traffic, Jimi Hendrix and Post-War Pop)

The quote above truly embraces what is at the core of Hendrix's music. Rock 'n' roll was merely his chosen medium, not the core of what his message was about. He wanted to reach especially young people in a significant way with his ideas of strong spirituality and freedom of the soul.