This Wednesday at 8pm (June 11) and Saturday (June 14, at 10pm) on KCET--L.A.'s ultra-groovy PBS affiliate--Cythinia Fox and I host the pledge breaks during a truly epic show: "The Jimi Hendrix Experience: American Landing," and we'd love to have you join us. This was the first time American audiences saw the guy who'd change rock music--and especially the electric guitar--forever. Cynthia and I are always proud to support the mission and the programming of KCET & PBS, but for me, this one takes on added meaning. The first album I ever purchased with my lawn-mowing/Grit newspaper sales dough was Jimi's "Axis: Bold As Love"--and kinda by accident. When I was in 4th grade, my best friend (Tommy Pasco, in Murray, Kentucky) had two older brothers who owned "Are You Experienced?" Not only did I think it was about the coolest-looking album (anyone remember the joy of LP artwork?) but "Fire" was THE baddest thing I'd ever heard. Well, after "Help!" and most everything else by The Beatles. So with accumulated cash, I schlepped over to Wallace's Bookstore on the Murray State campus to snag a copy. Apparently young, brilliant rock minds thought alike back then, because they were sold out. The only Hendrix titles that remained were "Electric Ladyland" (double lp; I didn't have enough $$) and "Axis," which I bought without knowing what lay inside. That album lit a--dare I say?--fire inside me that fueled a career in the mercurial rock radio business that still burns bright to this very millisecond. Like, tune in and DIG, man! (Or woman)...
"I got my own world to live though and I ain't gonna copy you....." --Jimi, from "If 6 Was 9"
