Jimi Hendrix added to proto-prog

Raff wrote: Nothing in life goes according to a plan... Those who think so are deluding themselves, I'm afraid. But this is not the time nor the place for such philosophical discussions.

Nice ... I think that is what Jimi was really trying to say ...

P.S. Check out reviews by Atavachron and Chicapah, poetry inspired by music, some of the better writing I have seen on here.

Edited by Easy Money - April 11 2009 at 22:31

Having read many many reviews of RPI, Psych, Heavy, Prog Metal, (and a few Krautrock ) reviews ... and seen Monsieur Hendrix's name regularly used as an adjective (hendrixian, hendrix-like, hendrixy) or just out and out just used as a comparison ... I now wonder why we would add such a musician when we all know that there were no mellotrons on his albums, no multi-part suites, no artsy fartsy w**king about ... you know ... something that groups like Procol Harum ( Trower actually invented Jimi's style of playing), ELP (Keith may have liked the ideea of attacking an instrument), Pink Floyd (a touch of psychedelic lyrics, some spacey sounds) , King Crimson (no need to go beyond the blues, right Mr Fripp) ...
C'Mon folks ... the guy must have done something to merit all those mentions in these pages.
I mean, do you see thousands of references to Eric Clapton ? Mike Bloomfield ? How about Robert Johnson ? Buddy Holly ?
Proto-Prog is meant for musicians like Hendrix.

Ah, but once more, we have the dreaded "he's popular" disease that kills the prog in any music ...  

p0mt3 wrote: Finally! About time Jimi was added here! A KEY player in the development of Prog, right up there with The Beatles and the Doors!

I've been thinking about your post and I'd love to refute it.  Unfortunately, I can't.  My problem is that Jimi was a key player in the developement of MANY genres of music, not just prog.  But as I think more upon this, it occurs to me that just because his influence was extremely wide  doesn't mean that his influence upon prog wasn't significant.  He is truly like The Beatles in this way.

LOL.  I'm always right to me!

For those fear-mongerers whose kneejerk reaction to controversial additions seems to be "OH NO !  This means that they're going to add Pat Boone, Garth Brooks, the New Kids on the Block, the Bay City Rollers, and eventually, GASP, Britney Spears and Celine Dion.  This has to be stoppeD !

If I may make a comparison - they are the musical equivalent of those geo-politicers who postulated the domino theory.

Oh, and by the way, and this can be taken any way y'all want - there will likely be at least one, probably some additions (if not already)  that do not merit being here at a prog site, even an inclusive one like PA. This is due to that human failing - imperfection. This will not call into question, nor degrade PA's standing, nor its reputation as a prog treasure trove. It will have happened , or happen, due to the site's clearly stated goal of inclusiveness, AND a true fan's desire to ensure that all deserving musical acts eventually find their spot here. And as the inclusion of one very borderline prog act will not "infect" the rest of the site, it should be accepted as a sign of open-mindedness, not degeneration into a free for all anything goes expansion.

So please, if you strongly believe that, for example, group X' entrance into these hallowed pages is going to inextricably lead to, say, Alabama or Krokus' admittance, then do this - prepare your case(s) in a thorough, logical , and easily digestable way. Then, if your nightmare scenario ever plays out, you will be able to lead the opposition, and if your arguement is strong & sufficient, chances are that the  undeserving act(s) in question will be refused entry.

Because, frankly, from my point of view, I have come to the point where I've developed an  automatic kneejerk reaction to the endless "THE #%^@$*j@ CAN'T BE PROG, 'CAUSE  I'VE HEARD THEIR ALBUM *%$^&$, AND IT IS NOT PROG, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NOT LISTENED TO THE OTHER 15 ALBUMS THEY PUT OUT", OR THE "HOW CAN THEY BE PROG, THEY HAD A TOP 40 HIT, AND THEY'VE SOLD MILLIONS OF ALBUMS", OR EVEN BETTER " I DON'T LIKE THEM, SO THERE !" ...
 Arguements like these simply motivate me to search out the group's music, and if remotely prog, put up a fight just to force the naysayers to have to come up with something of substance to support their view. You know, like actually provide an explanation, based on having listened to at least some of the music, and not just restricted to one album out of ten. Such as having read other people and their views or opinions on the group, including any influence they may have had on subsequent musical acts.
 Or in simple english - being able to show that you have at least one clue beyond a bias.

So now, can we move on. Jimi's in. From today, take time to read a random review. Note the fact that in early RPI, Krautrock, Heavy Prog, and even some Prog Metal groups have seen their guitarists' style compared to Hendrix; and also note the similarities  that some acts' compositions share with Jimi's .

"cause honestly, we're not talking about Ted Nugent or Angus Young here. JH had a lot more going for him, and coming of him, eh .
O.K., now to discuss who's going to win the Stanley Cup, and why American TV needs "Desperate Housewives" & " Real Life Housewives".

Oh no, and I who wanted to add Duran Duran!

Slartibartfast wrote: Raff wrote: Oh no, and I who wanted to add Duran Duran! I could only support their addition if they were named Duran Duran Duran. For some reason I am now hungry like the wolf. Doesn't that song have the lyric "I smell like I sound" or something?

^ Speaking again of 80's music, the Eurythmics and Tears For Fears were great, especially The Eurythmics. Actually countless synth bands made quite an impression in the 80's , for a while including Duran Duran. I was also partial to New Order, Rupert Hine and Nick Kershaw. Also can't forget Spandau Ballet and The Human League and Ultravox. On the one hand there was Synth pop on the other Punk and Post-Punk, with a smattering of Hair Metal thrown in. Quite a convuluted time for music and certainly over-road the dominance of Prog in the previous decade...

When I joined 'PA' 18 months ago I just assumed that Hendrix was here (so never bothered to look !)
It certainly amazed me that it took so long to formally ratify his inclusion so for me, it's really a no-brainer.

(Aside)

Would there be a craw in anyone's throat 'round these parts that Jimi's discovery and championing by Chas Chandler (BRITISH) his initial solo success (BRITISH) together with the 'Experience' band (BRITISH) formed on account of his inability to even get arrested as a solo artist in (AMERICA) may have had a bearing on the resistance to his entry into prog-related ?

Just a thought.....

^ Hey David, read my intro for more details but, Hendrix was proto-prog and right there with Procol harum, The Nice and Soft Machine when it came to composition, structure, length etc.
In 69 he split to play the blues (The Experience had very little blues) and then Crimson, ELP, Yes, Genesis come on the scene. Now Jimi and prog are worlds apart, but it didn't start that way.

Edited by Easy Money - April 14 2009 at 05:14