The Jimi Hendrix Experience was founded in 1966 and consisted of Noel Redding (bass) and Mitch Mitchell (drums) after Hendrix. Purple Haze, The Wind Cries Mary and Hey Joe became classics in rock history, as did Hendrix’s version of Bob Dylan’s All Along The Watchtower. The band sold millions of albums and sold out shows in record time.

The last European performance

By 1969 The Jimi Hendrix Experience was more popular than ever, but they were already playing, perhaps without knowing it at the time, their last show in Great Britain. The show was filmed, but the footage is untraceable to the general public. As of 2019, almost 50 years after the historic concert, his recordings are on display at the Royal Albert Hall. According to promotional materials, exhibition footage was “never released or commercially shown”.

The recording provides a unique view of Hendrix live performing of his music and what happened backstage. In London the band played covers of Sunshine of Your Love by Cream and Bleeding Heart by Elmore James. The band also presented an extra-long version of Room Full of Mirrors. All of these songs appeared 2 years later, in 1971, on a live album titled Experience.

Separated

Later that year, The Jimi Hendrix Experience broke up, as bassist Noel Redding left the band due to mutual tensions. Drummer Mitch Mitchell continued to perform with Hendrix, eventually leading to Woodstock’s legendary appearance with Gypsy Sun and Rainbows.

Below you can see pictures of The Jimi Hendrix Experience at the Royal Albert Hall.