Hendrix heads list of 100 guitar greats with 'Are You Experienced'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jimi Hendrix's pioneering 1967 release, Are You Experienced, has been named the greatest guitar album of all time. The album, which boasted tracks such as "Foxy Lady" and "Fire", was chosen by music experts from Mojo magazine.
The Beatles failed to make even the top 20, although the writers thought their 1966 effort Revolver, with its backward guitar snatches on "Tomorrow Never Knows", deserved a place in the list of the 100 greatest guitar albums.
The Rolling Stones managed only number 11 with Exile On Main Street, while the Who were runners-up with 1965's My Generation.
Completing a top three of Sixties releases is a self-titled 1962 compilation by the bluesman Howlin' Wolf.
Hendrix, who was left- handed, made it to number two in the British chart with his debut album Are You Experienced, continuing the promise shown on earlier singles "Hey Joe" and "Purple Haze".
He had perfected his incendiary style in the clubs of Greenwich village in New York, but found fame after being brought to the UK by the former Animals bass player Chas Chandler.
Are You Experienced showcased his incredible talent as well as his range of innovative guitar sounds using an array of electronic boxes.
The Mojo writer Ritchie Unterberger said: "It's impossible to cram all the innovative ways of playing an electric guitar that Hendrix pioneered on his first album into one paragraph. Foremost among them were his use of controlled feedback coaxing both oceanic waves and subtle flutters; his mastery of a huge range of high-volume distorted tones and his piercing, clear, lightning-quick blues runs."
Two albums from the Nineties make it into the top 10 - Loveless by My Bloody Valentine (1991) and Radiohead's The Bends.
THE TOP TEN
1 Are You Experienced - Jimi Hendrix Experience
2 My Generation - The Who
3 Howlin' Wolf - Howlin' Wolf
4 Maggot Brain - Funkadelic
5 Loveless - My Bloody Valentine
6 The Bends - Radiohead
7 Ramones - Ramones
8 Genius Of The Electric Guitar - Charlie Christian
9 New Orleans Street Singer - Snooks Eaglin
10 The Rock'N'Roll Trio - Johnny Burnette And The Rock'N'Roll Trio
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments