Jimi Hendrix Jimi Hendrix James Marshall Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970) was an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as "arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music". Born in Seattle, Washington, Hendrix began playing guitar at the age of 15. In 1961, he enlisted in the
Machine Gun (Jimi Hendrix song) Nash & Young's song "Ohio" and Hendrix's "Machine Gun" (titled "Ohio" / "Machine Gun") on their 1971 album "Givin' It Back"; both songs are based on the May 4, 1970 killings at Kent State University, where unarmed college students were killed and injured by members of the Ohio National Guard, during a mass protest against the bombing of Cambodia by United States military forces. Machine Gun (Jimi Hendrix song) "Machine Gun" is a song written by American musician Jimi Hendrix, and originally recorded for the 1970 "Band of Gypsys" album, with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles. It is a lengthy,