Gibson Guitar Sponsors 7 City Experience Hendrix Tour with Added Dates and Players

Press release
Source: Rogers & Cowan

The Experience Hendrix Tour, launching October 16 at Washington’s Constitution Hall, has gained significant momentum even before its kick-off date. Just added to the previously announced star-flecked whirlwind five city sold-out run are two additional dates: Providence, RI plus a return New York engagement at the tour’s conclusion. Total: seven performances over the course of seven successive nights is sponsored by Gibson Guitar, the world’s premier musical instrument manufacturer and leader in music technology.

The tour features some of the most respected and innovative figures in rock and blues and celebrates the genius and artistry of Jimi Hendrix. Experience Hendrix, LLC, the Hendrix family company entrusted with preserving and protecting the legacy of Jimi Hendrix is the series producer. Gibson Guitar, a partner on various projects with the Hendrix family in the past, is sponsoring the innovative tour experience.

Artists performing music written by and associated with Jimi Hendrix include blues giant Buddy Guy, pedal steel virtuoso Robert Randolph and contemporary guitar great Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Special guests include Robby Krieger, guitarist of the Doors, Rolling Stones veteran guitarist Mick Taylor and Hubert Sumlin, the Mississippi-born guitarist who worked with both Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters. Most remarkably, Mitch Mitchell (drums) and Billy Cox (bass), the same Jimi Hendrix Experience rhythm section that played Woodstock will be on hand for the Experience Hendrix tour dates. Another notable duo, Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon, a/k/a Double Trouble and the late Stevie Ray Vaughan’s highly regarded rhythm section are part of the tour’s musical cast. Newly added performers include Texas guitar slinger Doyle Bramhall, Corey Glover from Living Colour, and Kenny Olson (Kid Rock) to the tour’s talent roster. Also appearing are Indigenous, the blues skewed Native American band and Memphis guitar icon Eric Gales. Various combinations of these artists are expected to perform such Hendrix signature songs as “Purple Haze,” “Hey Joe,” “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” “Red House” and many, many, more coupled with Hendrix-inspired guitar riffs and rhythm patterns, highlighting the brilliance of the most highly guitarists of all time.

The new Experience Hendrix tour is an exciting prospect for Billy Cox whose history with Jimi Hendrix dates back to their days in the Army together. He commented, “This tour is a tribute to the man who changed music with unparalleled innovation and creativity, a musician extraordinaire. It’s a tribute to him and joyful celebration of what he gave us.”

Kenny Wayne Shepherd, equally proud to be part of Experience Hendrix, stated “Without the music of Jimi Hendrix, I might never been inspired to explore musical possibilities and push the envelope of the guitar. I’m really thrilled to be able to play Jimi’s music in tribute to him with so many great artists who have had that same life-changing experience.”

"Jimi Hendrix fundamentally pioneered the outstanding possibilities of the electric guitar," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar." His influence today is as strong as it was in the 1960s and 1970s. It's very exciting to see his legacy live on through such an innovative tour."

The first Experience Hendrix Tour which also featured Guy, Shepherd, Sumlin, Carlos Santana, Joe Satriani, Paul Rodgers, as well as Mitchell and Cox played sold out concert dates in San Francisco, Portland and Seattle in February of 2004, garnering rave reviews at the time and it is expected that, in the future, Experience Hendrix will make its way to other markets.

Janie Hendrix, CEO of Experience Hendrix noted, “Everyday, we see how Jimi’s musical legacy continues to transcend generational and cultural boundaries. This tour is our way to give live audiences a concert experience that reflects the genius of his unifying spirit.”

Experience Hendrix Tour dates

Oct-16 Washington, DC - Constitution Hall
Oct-17 New York, NY - Beacon Theater
Oct-18 Hampton Beach, NH - Casino Ballroom
Oct-19 Atlantic City, NJ - Trump Casino
Oct-20 Waterbury, CT - Palace Theater
Oct-21 Providence, RI - Providence Performing Arts Center,
Oct-22 New York, NY - Beacon Theater (slight return)

For more information, visit www.jimihendrix.com.

About Gibson Guitar:
Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, and banjos. Gibson’s HD.6X-PRO Digital Guitar represents the biggest advance in electric guitar design in over 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.’s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Maestro, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Echoplex, Electar, Flatiron, Gibson Baldwin Music Education, Slingerland, Valley Arts, Maestro, Oberheim, Sunshine Piano, Take Anywhere Technology, Baldwin, J&C Fischer, Chickering, Hamilton, and Wurlitzer. Visit Gibson’s website at www.gibson.com.

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