41 years ago, my interview subject was truly at the top of his game in the music business. He had broken new ground in popular music, and for guitar players (even myself, first discovering him about 6 years after he died) he set a new high bar for creative tone, performance and innovation. His untimely death put a halt to what may have continued to be a driving force in music, fashion, and what a t meant to be cool.

I have traveled to a remote tropical island to meet Mr. Hendrix (I call him Mr Hendrix, as I believe he has earned my respect, however he immediately insists I call him Jimi, and assured me we will become fast friends) at his sprawling beach side estate. On a picture perfect day we sat down at n white linen covered lounge chairs next to the pool. After a few laughs and some nervous small talk on my part, we began to catch up on his life since it ended.

What do you like most about where you are now, your life since it ended?

“Man, this place is really groovy, like its my home now and all, and the people here are real genuine people to me. I used to know a lot of nasty cats before, they would smile and all but I knew they weren’t down with it. You know what I mean by down?”

I think so, you mean understanding of you and your close associates and your, at the time, new and unique perspective on life and how to live it…

“Well put man. Yeah cats here are cool, but real cool, and my mind is at peace. I see things for what they really are, and its all cool, ya know?”

The world lost you when you were so young, but so productive, I mean musically. Do you ever think about what the world lost out on, in terms of what you could have done ?

“No, I don’t think like that. I feel things better now. My music will always be with me, or in me, how you want to say it (sic)”.

“Life while you are alive is all panicked and stressed, you don’t know what comes later, you don’t see everything the right way, I don’t know man its hard, hard to describe with just words…”

Do you play much music here? It’s such a calming environment, and its not like you have the pressures you had before…

“Of course man, who do you think you are talking to?…I’m Jimi Fuckin’ Hendrix! (There was a long pause and a stern stare from Jimi)

And then he burst out laughing and rolling his head back “aw man! You should see your face, I’m just pullin on you man, its so funny to make you shit like that, I’m sorry, but, man…”

Jimi you had me, for sure

“Yes I play music, I write music, I listen to music, I have woven music into every part of me, you could say I am music….and music is me”

That’s a really beautiful way to put it…

“Once you spend enough time away form the stress and pressure, you find time to become the beautiful things you used to only dream about, man. “

A you still playing guitar, I mean primarily?

“Yes, (he took a long drag on a yellow joint he had been slowly rolling between his long fingertips) guitars and pianos and synthesizers and other things too. Any vehicle can take you there, man, if you are willing to take the ride…( he offers me the next drag)

“I see what’s Ben going on since I fell out”. “A lot like of good stuff, but some garbage too…”

Oh I didn’t realize…

“I followed it all from here, cowboy, disco, punk, all of it. Music now is really confused. There is so much more of it then when I was around. So much more but only a small amount feels focused, ya know what I mean?”

Yes. What is your favorite music since you left?

“I get excited by new sounds, like anyone, at first. I get excited by virtuoso players too. Miles never let me down, Stevie Vaughn was really cool, Eddie van whaler…”

You mean Eddie Van Halen?

“Yeah, so many names…cat has chops. But the thing that really gets me going, ya know going man, is the ladies making music”

The ladies?

“ I see these chicks playin guitars, writing so many good songs, wonderful people making great stuff”

Who are some of your favorites?

“Beyoncé is a real scream to me. That lady Gaga goo goo…”

Gaga

“Yeah she can sing, she’s a mesmerizing singer and cares about the tunes, man, she knows her songs and lives her music. So real”

Did you see her perform at the presidential inauguration?

“I never did play any politics, so I missed it. I’m a lover, not a voter, man. I gave Uncle Sam my sweat and tears, I paid my due to the system.”

That’s right you are a military veteran. Did that experience help shape the person you became

“I don’t know, I guess it had to right, a boy becomes a man, moves away from home, and all that.”

After a long, pensive pause, he continued

“My life was a wild ride, that’s no story, but who I am now, who I was then, I’m the same but very different. Man its hard to say with words, I am Jimi, I was Jimi, when you take my music into your self you are Jimi too. It’s a groovy thing.”

Are you making recordings, to document you new ideas and songs?

“Yeah man, I am workin on a project now with Keith Richards…”

I am pretty sure Keith Richards is still alive, I don’t understand how it’s possible…

“Keith is laid back, man, I don’t think he ever realized I died, so lets keep it between us, don’t tell him, okay?”

I cant wait to hear it

“Someday, man, someday…”

Oh, I understand. For our readers, who love your music, love the whole thing that is Jimi, any last comments?”

“People, smell the flowers, feel the sunshine, love, maybe only love.. is more real than you can tell right now”

That’s great. Any inspiring words for young guitar players just discovering your music?

“Hey man, I ain’t a school teacher…(he lowers his gaze then slowly looks into my eyes, and almost in a whisper, and with a huge cloud of smoke, says) “I’m fucking Jimi Hendrix”

He smiles as he pulls way

I think that says it all.