Paul Gaudet

The Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1967. Left to right: Mitch Mitchell in a bowler hat and a white sweater, Jimi Hendrix in the frogged military jacket with a cigarette in hand, and Noel Redding leaning on his fist at right. Look how young they are. The band had only formed in London in October 1966, after Chas Chandler brought Jimi over from New York. Noel was a guitarist who agreed to switch to bass. Mitch was a jazz-minded drummer who played like he had four arms. 1967 was the year that changed everything. Are You Experienced came out in the UK in May. In June they played the Monterey Pop Festival, and Jimi set his guitar on fire in front of an American audience that barely knew him. By December they had a second album, Axis: Bold as Love. All three are gone now. Jimi died in 1970, Noel in 2003 and Mitch in 2008. For a few short years, though, they were the most exciting band on earth. Photo: Avalon/Getty Images 🎸 Rank them: Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold as Love, Electric Ladyland. 🎸