Jimi Hendrix Pathway Marker

"[Jimi Hendrix was] the most gifted instrumentalist of all time... a psychedelic rock pioneer whose work touches all styles of music." (The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame) His career began in Tennessee rhythm 'n' blues bands. Hendrix enlisted in the the Army, joining the 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell on Nov. 8, 1961. There, he teamed up with bassist Billy Cox and played in and around Clarksville after he was honorably discharged citing an ankle injury sustained in a parachute jump. They formed the King Kasuals, playing R&B in Clarksville, Murfreesboro and Nashville. During his time in Nashville, Hendrix traveled, mostly for hire with tour bands. Hendrix solo single, "Hey Joe," became a UK hit in January 1967. Hendrix broke through the U.S. music industry after he performed at the Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967. The famous image of Hendrix lighting his guitar aflame at the climax of that performance is an iconic moment in rock music history.