50 Years since the death of Jimi Hendrix

American rock guitarist, singer and songwriter Jimi Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix on 27th November, 1942) died 18th September 1970, 50 years ago. While his mainstream career spanned only four years, he made an incredible impact on electric guitar music and is recognised worldwide as one of the greatest innovators in rock music of all time. 

He was a pioneer in the evolution of rock through his unusual fusion of blues, rhythm and soul, hard rock and psychedelia. According to Rolling Stone magazine in 2011 he was ‘the greatest guitarist of all time’, ahead of Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page.

Though all his live shows are historically significant, Hendrix is perhaps best known for his sets at the Monterey Festival in 1967 and for the Woodstock Festival in 1969 which are remembered for his irreverent artistic reinterpreting of the U.S. national anthem. Hendrix was a true individual at a time when rock music was dominated by white musicians, and in 1992 was introduced to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The iconic psychedelic Hapshash and the Coloured Coat were an artistic duo consisting of Michael English (1941-2009) and Nigel Waymouth (b.1941). In 1966 Waymouth, a graphic artist, launched the now legendary King’s Road boutique 'Granny Takes a Trip', for which he designed clothes as well as the regularly changing shopfronts that were its signature feature.

At this time, Michael English’s epiphany was a moment in the King’s Road when he chanced upon Waymouth painting the facade of 'Granny Takes a Trip' which became London’s first psychedelic boutique. Together they became a graphics team doubling up as a rock group called Hapshash and the Coloured Coat, whose iconic psychedelic posters helped to define the aesthetic of the era.

We are proud to represent the licensing rights for Hapshash and the Coloured Coat. Please get in touch if you have any questions. We also represent licensing rights for Nigel Waymouth.

Please contact us if you would like to make an enquiry or if you have any questions.

View our complete selection of Jimi Hendrix images on the archive.