In the last 24 hours before Jimi Hendrix’s death, a mosaic of events emerged, clearing light on the complexities that marked the final chapter of his life. In the late summer of 1970, Jimi Hendrix was trapped in a web of exhaustion, personal turmoil, and the pressures of his fast-paced life. Amidst relentless tours ( in this case, “The Cry of Love Tour”) and a few moments in the recording studio, Jimi Hendrix grappled with various challenges.
Jimi Hendrix’s relationship with manager Mike Jeffery, the demanding schedules, and his struggles with depression and sleepless nights painted a somber backdrop to his final days. Just three weeks before his tragic end, Jimi Hendrix delivered a memorable performance at the Isle of Wight Festival, which, although marked by technical issues, showcased Jimi Hendrix’s resilience as he overcame numerous obstacles.
A week after this event, Jimi Hendrix took the stage in Germany at the Open Air Love & Peace Festival on September 6, 1970 — a performance that would stand as his last major concert before his untimely death. Jimi Hendrix’s final live performance was on September 16, 1970, at Ronnie Scott’s Club in London. This remarkable musical event, where Jimi, Eric, and War united on stage, was vividly recalled by Eric:
What Happened to Jimi Hendrix in the Hours Before His Death?
The following day, on September 17, Jimi Hendrix woke up late in Monika Danneman’s London hotel. Danneman, his girlfriend then, would play a central role in the following events. The last-known images of Jimi Hendrix were captured in Danneman’s garden, where he posed with his iconic Stratocaster, “the black beauty.” The day unfolded as they spent time together, absorbed in mundane activities like shopping on the streets of London.
Later in the afternoon, Jimi Hendrix and Monika Danneman met with Devon Wilson (aka “Dolly Dagger”), a woman whose background adds more intrigue to the narrative. Wilson, a figure known for connecting with music stars, invited Jimi to a party later that night, setting the stage for unexpected events. Wilson became a vital part of Jimi Hendrix’s life; she has relations beyond him with other rock stars like Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, and Miles Davis. Known as a “super groupie,” her glamorous yet controversial reputation accentuated her magnetic pull towards Jimi Hendrix.
As night fell, Jimi Hendrix found himself in a stranger’s home, drawn in by an invitation for tea. Unpredictably, the evening took a different course, including wine and hash. Uncomfortable with the situation, Danneman left the house with Jimi Hendrix, sparking a heated discussion fueled by her jealousy over the women in Jimi Hendrix’s life.
Back at Danneman’s hotel, Jimi Hendrix took a bath and began crafting his final words in a song titled “The Story of Life.” The lyrics were a poignant reflection of his state of mind:
Later in the evening, tensions between Jimi Hendrix and Monika Danneman persisted. She dropped him off at the party they had been invited to but, due to their argument, she left him there. Jimi Hendrix reportedly ate Chinese food and a cocktail of drugs, including an amphetamine tablet, and spent the night in a haze.
From 2 am until his tragic death, only Monika Danneman was present. She claims to be the sole witness to the events that occurred. According to her account, they returned to the hotel, and she made Jimi Hendrix a tuna sandwich before heading to bed—an assertion that subsequent investigations would challenge.
At 6 am, Monika Danneman alleges that Jimi Hendrix was still awake, requesting sleeping pills. She initially insisted he needed to wait. As dawn broke, Danneman took sleeping pills. Jimi, with Monika sleeping, also took sleeping pills. The lethal combination of alcohol, Vesparax, and other substances led to a tragic outcome. Subsequently, Jimi, in an altered state, vomited a mixture of wine and indigestible food, which was aspirated into his lungs.
As the morning sun rose on September 18, 1970, Jimi Hendrix, aged 27, died.
The Jimi Hendrix Murder Conspiracy
While official records attribute Hendrix’s death to barbiturate intoxication and inhalation of vomit, a peculiar detail emerges – an unusual abundance of red wine in his lungs. This anomaly challenges the conventional narrative of excessive drinking, hinting at a more complex and potentially sinister scenario. The conspiracies surrounding Hendrix’s death due to his connections to Mike Jeffery and whispers of a million-dollar life insurance policy listing Jeffery as the beneficiary.
In 2009, In a shocking revelation, former roadie James “Tappy” Wright alleges in his book “Rock Roadie” that Hendrix was murdered by his manager, Michael Jeffrey. According to Wright, Jeffrey confessed to forcing Hendrix to swallow sleeping pills, driven by the sinister motive of cashing in on the guitarist’s $2 million life insurance policy.
The chilling confession reportedly occurred in 1971, a year after Hendrix’s mysterious death at the Samarkand Hotel in London. Jeffrey, fearing replacement as manager, allegedly believed Hendrix was “worth more to him dead than alive.” The official cause of Hendrix’s death was recorded as barbiturate intoxication and inhalation of vomit. Jeffrey later died in a plane crash in 1973.
FAQ’S
What Was Jimi Hendrix’s Last Performance?
On September 16, 1970, two days before his untimely death, Jimi Hendrix made a memorable appearance with War at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London.
Following their gig at the Open Air Love & Peace Festival in Fehmarn, Germany, on September 6, Hendrix and his bandmates Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox returned to London. There, he crossed paths with Eric Burdon, the former lead singer of the Animals, now part of the ensemble War.
What Was Jimi Hendrix’s Health Condition in the Last Days of His Life?
Leading up to his death, Hendrix faced declining health, attributed to exhaustive work, chronic sleep deprivation, and a presumed flu. His frustration stemmed from personal relationship insecurities and disillusionment with the music industry.
What Did Jimi Hendrix Take When He Died?
Jimi Hendrix’s overdose wasn’t attributed to heroin or hallucinogens. According to the coroner’s report, Hendrix succumbed to asphyxiation while under the influence of sleeping pills. In a tragic turn of events, he ingested an alarming 18 times the recommended dose of barbiturates, having consumed nine Vasparex tablets belonging to his girlfriend. While in a state of slumber, Hendrix vomited, leading to fatal choking. The unfortunate incident resulted in his pronounced death at 12:45 PM on September 18, 1970.
Who Was the First Person to See Jimi Hendrix Dead?
The first person to discover Jimi Hendrix’s lifeless body, besides Monika Danneman, was Eric Burdon. On the morning of September 18, Eric Burdon arrived at the Samarkand before the ambulance crew, discovering Jimi Hendrix already deceased.
Concerned about potential drug-related implications, Burdon started collecting evidence and stumbled upon a poem, “The Story of Life,” written by Hendrix just hours before. Burdon, having discussed suicide with Hendrix previously, initially thought the poem was a suicide note.
In the aftermath, he told the press he later recanted, acknowledging a misinterpretation. Monika Dannemann, however, offered a different perspective, recounting that Hendrix wanted her to cherish the poem as a personal narrative about their relationship. This adds a nuanced layer to the events surrounding Hendrix’s death, highlighting the complexity of interpretations and emotions in the aftermath of his passing.
When and Where Was Jimi Hendrix Funeral? Who Attended?
Jimi Hendrix’s funeral took place on October 1, 1970, at Dunlap Baptist Church in Seattle, Washington. The attendees included family, close friends, and fellow musicians. Among those present were his father, Al Hendrix, his stepmother Ayako “June” Fujita, and his brother, Leon Hendrix. Notable musicians like Miles Davis, Johnny Winter, Mitch Mitchell, and Noel Redding, also attended the funeral. The ceremony was a somber occasion, marking the farewell to one of the most influential figures in the history of rock music.
