I won't repeat all of the praises of the previous reviewers. Just wanted to add my "2 cents" that I also found the book well written, compassionate, and eye opening. Thanks to Ms. Lawrence for her decision to re-visit some painful memories and share her perspective and information with us.

For years, I've been a Jim Morrison fanatic, in fact, having corresponded with Ray Manzarek, the keyboard player of the fabled band The Doors, in reference to an adaptation of Manzarek's book on his experiences in the band. While I searched for sources at my local library for my proposed screenplay on the last days of Jim Morrison, I happened upon Sharon Lawrence's new book on Hendrix. Suffice it to say, my curiosity prohibited me from passing up the opportunity to read up on a musician whose imagination, both lyrically and musically, have captivated me for over twenty years.

Having read David Henderson's "'Scuse Me While I Kiss the Sky" Jimi bio in 1985, I thought I possessed some discriminating knowledge, although not some connoisseur's discernment, of Hendrix. I do have to admit that only in the last six years have I begun to replace my Hendrix tapes with remastered CDs, with that all-too-familiar sticker, "Authorized by Experience Hendrix." Well, after reading Lawrence's book and her all-too candid impressions of Jimi's father, Al, and step-sister Janie--who has attempted to pass herself as Jimi's full-blooded sister--I wanted to burn each new CD.

My only other response: If Instant Karma hits both Al and Janie, they'll either admit their greed and perform contrition or burn in some eternal afterworld for urinating on the legacy of a great musician. Too bad Jimi had to be so naive when it came to business dealings.

Buy or check out the book. You owe it to Jimi.

Wow, what can I say, the first 2/3 of the book were amazing. It was amazing to see Jimi from the perspective of someone so close to him. But I can honestly say that after the point at which Jimi Hendrix died, it seemed to me to be pages upon pages of law-related platitude and obituary-like talk. Other than that though, it was a very well written book that would sit well with any Hendrix fan.

I just finished Ms. Lawrence's compelling, honest, heartbreaking and touching biography of Jimi. I could not put it down. I have been a fan since I was 13 years old and while not a maniac had a curiosity about this musician who came and left all to quickly, but left an endelible mark on the music of his generation and many more to come.

This book tells the story of Hendrix through the eyes of someone who cared about him, who had an honest relationship with him and this has allowed her to descibe this man in a way no other really could. She describes him in such a way that I was almost in tears by the time Sept 18th rolled around. Such a loss for all of us, one that I had not really comprehended before or for that matter mourned at the time.

2 months prior to his death he played at New Yorks Randalls stadium. I begged my mother to allow me to go and after hours
of pleading she relented. I went early that morning in July because the radio station was looking for volunteers. For whatever reason I was selected to sit on stage and make sure people did not climb up during the shows.

There were many acts that night, Tull, Grand Funk, John Sebastian and of course Jimi.

I could not have been more than 6 feet away from him during that 60 minute set, virtually at his feat, watching in awe, the man whose records I listened to over and over again. I think back to that time every so often and after reading Ms. Lawarence's book much of the dynamics of that night started to come back to me.
Now if I could only find a copy of the video, I could die a happy man!

Any way read this book, even if your not a Hendrix fan. He was a good man who treated people fairly and who really got a raw deal in life. I never would have known many of the things that I learned in this book and I'm a better person for having been a fan and been able to sit at the masters feet all those years ago!

JOHN HOVING
NYC

I too have read many biographies of Jimi Hendrix. But when I saw this one was being published I felt that I had to read it because many of the other biographies about Jimi were penned by individuals who were too involved in Jimi's business (either while he was alive and after his death). For instance John McDermott's (with Eddie Kramer) biography is very interesting but may be somewhat suspect as Mr. McDermott is now an employee of Experience Hendrix.

But I have to say thank you to Ms. Lawrence both for her touching and poignant biography but also for being Jimi's friend when he did indeed desperately need a friend who was not interested in his business and who wanted nothing from him but his friendship. And from Ms. Lawrence's book, it is apparent she cherished Jimi and their friendship. So I have to thank her for sharing this part of her life with Jimi's fans. She portrays Jimi as a very polite, very giving, and very unassuming person...someone who did not think of himself as a genius, even though now it is apparent that he was. All Jimi wanted was to make music, the way he wanted to make it, no matter the cost and apparently it cost him his life. It is very tragic that Jimi did not have better management who actually cared about him and his talent, as it is apparent that Michael Jeffrey only cared about Michael Jeffrey and only cared about Jimi as long as he was making money for him. Unfortunately, as Ms. Lawrence points out, Jimi has not fared much better after his death. His image and his music are still being exploited so that persons who claim to be his family can make money and live off of his great legacy.

All I can say is that we miss you Jimi, and wish you were still around making "truth and emotion" as you called it. Unfortunately you are not, and that is a tragedy for the entire world and for those of us loved your music 35 years ago and still love it to this day.

If you are a Jimi Hendrix fan, you will definitely enjoy Ms. Lawrence's book. I recommend it.