Family, friends and supporters of rock and roll legend Jimi Hendrix will commemorate the 72nd anniversary of his physical birth, Nov. 27, 1942, with a concert at Midtown Manhattan’s B.B. King Blues Club and Grill this Saturday evening at 7 p.m.
The legendary lineup paying homage to the man who is generally regarded as the greatest guitarist who ever lived will include Robby Krieger (the Doors), Vince Martel (Vanilla Fudge), Andre Lassalle (Burnt Sugar), Ducks Can Groove (Larry Coryell), Patrick Stanfield Jones (Isley Bros/Buddy Miles), Gary Serkin (Billy Cox/Mitch Mitchell) and Angel Reca (Buddy Miles/Curtis Knight/Ernie Isley).
Along with this program, there will also be a book signing by Hendrix’s comrades, bandmates and native Harlemites, the Ghetto Fighters. There will also be a special tribute to the band, which recently lost a member, Tunde Ra Aleem, this August.
“‘The ‘Ghetto Fighters in Harlem World,’ it’s our autobiography, which has forays of our relationship with Hendrix,” revealed TaharQa Aleem.
He then reflected on the historic concert he and his twin brother produced Sept. 5, 1969, at the intersection of 139th Street and Lenox Avenue, as well as other performances at popular Harlem nightspots such as Palm’s Cafe and Small’s Paradise.
Hendrix’s Gotham roots run deep, with him residing in various uptown locations prior to traveling to England in September 1966 and securing a recording contract, as well as upon his return to Black Mecca the following year. While Hendrix’s cultural awareness and social contributions are rarely mentioned in the mainstream media, locally it is a known fact that he hooked up with the original Black Panther Party out of Harlem, also known as the Fair Play Committee.
“Jimi had to be conscious being with us then,” Aleem commented. “You have to remember the climate in Harlem at that time.”
At the height of his popularity, Hendrix performed for free at the aforementioned show at the intersection of 139th Street and Lenox Avenue during a United Block Association benefit concert for the Black community, as well as other local shows.
“Hendrix did a benefit performance for us at the Manhattan Center,” reflected Brother David White, founding member of the Fair Play Committee.
A movie is currently in production about the iconic Hendrix starring Outkast’s Andre 3000.
For information about “The Ghetto Fighters in Harlem World,” visit niaentertainment.com. For information about the September 1969 Harlem concert, visit http://jimihendrix.forumactif.org/t594-new-york-united-block-association-harlem-benefit-5-septembre-1969. To experience the 139th Street concert, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmXXJd9D2CU.
