Both Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Wonder, while emerging from diverse musical backgrounds, experienced their ascent to prominence during the dynamic and transformative eras of the 1960s and 1970s. Amidst the bustling avenues of New York City’s performance venues, Jimi Hendrix, already a superstar, found himself captivated by the virtuosity and youthful exuberance of Stevie Wonder. Backstage encounters between them often evolved into impromptu jam sessions.
In a fascinating historical moment, Hendrix and Wonder came together for a special session at the BBC, on October 6, 1967. The context was “Top Gear,” a radio show that amplified the tapestry of alternative sounds, allowing musicians to show to the nation their craft. It was a platform where established artists and promising talents converged to share their musical creations.
Credit: BBC
The Jimi Hendrix Experience was recording some loose, informal, and fun tracks, and Stevie Wonder was also at the studio, being interviewed by Brian Matthews. The moment Mitch Mitchell disappeared to the bathroom, Wonder took over the drum stool for a brief jam that included “I Was Made To Love Her.” The song was a hit single recorded by Stevie Wonder for Motown’s Tamla label. Released as a single, it peaked at number-two on the Billboard Pop Singles chart in July 1967.
Although it wasn’t an incredible recording, below you can listen to this historic moment between two music giants, during the chill performance of “I Was Made to Love Her”.
What Both Jimi Hendrix And Stevie Wonder Said About Each Other?
In a moving interview from 2018, Stevie Wonder’s words resonated with the depth of their connection: “Hendrix was more than a guitarist; he was a poet… His melodies whispered truths, pain, and joy alike.” Jimi Hendrix himself showed his admiration upon Wonder in a 1968 interview, stating, “I’m a huge fan of his work… He’s one of the most gifted artists of our time.”
