The following article by Colin Ward, the drummer in Sounds Force 5, the young local group that supported the renowned rock bands at Barbecue ‘67in the Spalding Bulb Auction in May 1967 appeared in our February 2015 Newsletter. Colin Ward is a director of Live Promotions Events Ltd.
OUR JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE
The legendary American-born Jimi Hendrix is widely accepted as one of the most influential electric guitarists of all time and one of the twentieth century’s most
celebrated musicians. It is not widely known or accepted that this iconic figure leapt into prominence here in the market town of Spalding.
Jimi Hendrix was discovered in June 1966 by Chris Chandler of The Animals, who, excited by his potential, brought him to the UK and, together with bass player Noel
Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, formed The Jimi Hendrix Experience. In October, only one week after its formation, The Jimi Hendrix Experience toured France.
In January the band performed at London’s famous Marquee Club, taking the club by storm and breaking all attendance records.
In March they toured the UK as supporting act to the American Group the Walker Brothers.
And in May … 29 May, 1967 … a pop festival was planned for Spalding featuring such groups as Cream, Pink Floyd, The Move, Zoot Money, Geno Washington and his Ram Jam
Band, and – top of the bill – The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
Historically, Barbecue ’67 is the first true rock festival in the world, pre-dating the legendary Monterey Pop Festival in California, by at least
amonth. Barbecue ’67 was Jimi’s first true festival-topping experience.
Local group Sounds Force 5 were booked to play in between each of the acts, and also had the opportunity of meeting the stars backstage
prior to their appearance, including Hendrix.
I remember meeting Jimi as if it was yesterday. He seemed very nervous, but was happy to talk. But whilst we were in the makeshift
dressing-room, the doors were forced open by the raging fans, who grabbed whatever clothing they could find. “I’ve got Jimi’s shirt!” yelled one of the fans as he raced away. “No, he hasn’t,” said
Jimi, “it’s yours, Colin.”
Jimi went on stage and gave a wild performance, playing his guitar with his teeth and behind his
back, before finally setting fire to his Fender guitar with lighter fuel. After the performance Jimi went on to become someone who changed people’s
whole conception of a ‘performer’.
On 17 September 1970, the day after playing his last show at Ronnie Scott’s Club in London, he was
found unconscious in his London hotel room, having vomited in his sleep due to barbiturate intoxication, and shortly afterwards was pronounced dead.
To this day Jimi Hendrix is still an internationally iconic figure, recognised as one of the biggest
influential musicians in the development of hard rock and heavy metal music.
At the height of his career he lived at 23 Brook Street, London W1, where English Heritage have
installed a Blue
Plaque. As there is a Blue Plaque celebrating where Jimi lived, it is only fitting that there should be one here in
Spalding, where he made his first major appearance in Britain, at also possibly the world’s first true pop festival
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