Fact #159633
When:
Short story:
The Jimi Hendrix Experience play at the International Ballroom, Washington Hilton Hotel, Washington DC, USA. Full article:
David Torrey (fan) : The ballroom was designed for a couple of thousand people at best, not a bad venue. The crowd outside The Doors were packed in so tightly that you could literally pick your feet up off the floor, and your body would not drop an inch. ( I checked.)
I raced in to have a seat in front of the stacks, stage left. The place was
jammed. They opened with Red House, which I had never heard. I don't remember the complete set list, but Fire finished me off. 30% faster than the album cut, and just smokin'. I played drums at the time, and could not believe how tight that performance was. He destroyed the amps and a guitar at the end of the show....
Bruce Remer (fan) : There were two shows. We arrived for the second show early and saw Jimi leaving through a back door. After the second show we ran back to the same door, so we could try to get an autograph. Sure enough, he came out after a few minutes. I asked him for an autograph but they were moving fast, getting into the limousine.
At that point, I tried to grab his hat (the one he wore on the first album cover). He held on to it and said, 'Man, don't take my hat.' They jumped into the limo and drove off around the corner. We started to walk back to the car. To our amazement the limo was waiting at the light as we turned the corner. I ran up, knocked on the window and said, 'Give me your hat.'
The window came down and Jimi said 'Sorry man, I can't give up this hat.' So I said, "Well, give me something.' He looked at the others, looked around, and finally gave me his lighted cigarette - a Salem 100 that I kept In a baggie for years. The light changed and they drove off. Very exciting night for a 16 year old rock and roller!
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I raced in to have a seat in front of the stacks, stage left. The place was
jammed. They opened with Red House, which I had never heard. I don't remember the complete set list, but Fire finished me off. 30% faster than the album cut, and just smokin'. I played drums at the time, and could not believe how tight that performance was. He destroyed the amps and a guitar at the end of the show....
Bruce Remer (fan) : There were two shows. We arrived for the second show early and saw Jimi leaving through a back door. After the second show we ran back to the same door, so we could try to get an autograph. Sure enough, he came out after a few minutes. I asked him for an autograph but they were moving fast, getting into the limousine.
At that point, I tried to grab his hat (the one he wore on the first album cover). He held on to it and said, 'Man, don't take my hat.' They jumped into the limo and drove off around the corner. We started to walk back to the car. To our amazement the limo was waiting at the light as we turned the corner. I ran up, knocked on the window and said, 'Give me your hat.'
The window came down and Jimi said 'Sorry man, I can't give up this hat.' So I said, "Well, give me something.' He looked at the others, looked around, and finally gave me his lighted cigarette - a Salem 100 that I kept In a baggie for years. The light changed and they drove off. Very exciting night for a 16 year old rock and roller!