In November, 1966, rock legend Jimi Hendrix was just starting to make a name for himself, playing clubs and getting the attention of musicians and fans alike. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Pete Townsend, Mick Jagger and other legends were said to have seen him play at a London nightclub called “Bag ‘O Nails”, and the story goes that they were all blown away by his performance. His first single record, “Hey Joe” would be released in December, and the almost four years that followed landed him in the pantheon of rock and roll history as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. He of course died in the end of that period, on September 18, 1970, of an overdose of sleeping pills, which followed years of abuse of alcohol and drugs.
Meanwhile, in Stockton California, in November 1966, a boy was born who would be known by the same name as the legendary Jimi Hendrix. Whether his parents were surprisingly ahead of their time and named him after the then little known backing musician, or whether it was just a coincidence, is not known by this reporter. However, it is more likely the young man developed an appreciation of Hendrix the rock star, and changed his own name as a tribute to him. Another clue is this Hendrix’s middle name – Leon – which is the name of the rock legend’s younger brother. (Jimi Hendrix himself was born Johnny Allen Hendrix, and his parents changed his name at four years old to James Marshall Hendrix, which he later shortened to Jimi.)
Whatever the case may be, Jimi Leon Hendrix is living in Sacramento now, and was arrested on Sunday, June 8 in the southern Sacramento County town of Galt. Hopefully not following in the self-destructive path of his idol, Hendrix was nonetheless arrested on multiple charges of possession of a controlled substance, transportation of a controlled substance, possession for sale of controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Though not specified on the arrest report, these charges are usually indicative of methamphetamine. “Jimi Hendrix” – possibly but not verifiably the same man, was also arrested in 2011 on burglary, forgery, and identity theft charges.
Source: Wikipedia – Jimi Hendrix
