Jimi Hendrix
This is a true story. I need to say this because you won’t believe the ending.
In 1968 or 9 I bought my first rock and roll album – vinyl 33 ⅓ RPM record at the Carousel Record Store next to the Grand Union supermarket in Chappaqua, NY. Yes, I really remember that day. Jimi Hendrix – “Axis: Bold As Love.” I wore out the grooves playing it as often as I could. If you have no idea what grooves are then just think about a tire worn smooth.
This spring I was working outside of Seattle, Washington on a pair of ancient horses for a man who had recently passed away. His son was not a horseman but was caring for them until they too passed. My conversation often goes to what profession a person does and so my question generated a pleasant surprise when he replied, “I play in a rock and roll band.”
I love all music – almost. I should say I love all GOOD music and some might say Hendrix is not good music. If this is you, stay with me. This is not about music.
For the care taker of these horses, a small conversation about rock and roll quickly led to Jimi Hendrix and my love for his music as a core of my appreciation of blues. He surprised me when he said, “You know, he’s buried just down the road.”
Jimi Hendrix memorial in Renton, WA. Mt Rainier is in the background.
Before too long I was following my GPS to the cemetery. The hometown of Jimi Hendrix is Seattle and Renton, a suburb, is where he returned. Just find the local McDonald’s. From there, the cemetery entrance is a stone’s throw away. Once in the cemetery all of the real world fades and a large, beautiful green lawn filled with marble headstones impeccably maintained appears. Standing taller than anything else stood the memorial for this great musician. Elegantly carved into the granite was his signature, his image and several quotes. On end was a guitar made of steel with colorful jewels accenting its features.
Surprisingly, there were others visiting the gravesite. Not a lot but for a man dead for almost 40 years, he still was drawing attention today. We were all polite and respectful as we honored each person’s request to stand behind things as we took pictures. The weather also honored us with sunshine casting a gentle orange glow upon the distant Mount Rainier as sunset approached.
Now here comes the unbelievable part. I returned to my rental car parked not far from the monument. I got in and took a moment looking through the windshield and reflected on the peaceful resting spot I never knew existed an hour earlier. I turned the vehicle on and it automatically engaged it’s bluetooth with my iPhone and started to play WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM ME from my “5 star unplayed” playlist set to “Random Play” where several thousand songs reside captured long before streaming existed.
(goosebumps are forming)
The song it selected randomly was “Angel” by Jimi Hendrix.
Angel came down from heaven yesterday Stayed with me long enough to rescue me And she told me a story yesterday About the sweet love between the moon and the deep blue sea Then she spread her wings high over me She said she's goin' now, come back tomorrow And I said, Fly on my sweet angel Fly on through the sky Fly on my sweet angel Tomorrow I'm gonna be by your side Fly away, high away, fly away Sure enough this morning came unto me Silver wings silhouetted against a child's sunrise And my angel she said unto me Today's the day for you to rise Take my hand, you're gonna be my man, you're gonna rise Then she took me high over yonder And I said, Fly on my sweet angel Fly on through the sky Fly on my sweet angel Forever I will be by your side.
Angel lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc
I hope Dr. Tucker sees this. A similar experience happened to me. I will try to make a long story short. As I was driving a long distance I started to think of my childhood. My thoughts and images drifted here and there and I began thinking of and missing my mom. I was remembering the day my mom died. I wished I could hold her hand again. Soon after the thought/image of holding my mom’s hand came it was replaced by me thinking, no…what I really wish I could do is hold the young hand of my mom with my little girl hand. I always believed a child should be with their mom on their birthday as that was a miracle of a day that they both shared. I had Pandora on in the truck. It was set to thousands of random songs. At that instant the song, “A Mother and Child Reunion”, written by Paul Simon came through the speakers. “A mother and child reunion is only a motion away…”. Tears rolled down my cheeks. It was my birthday. Listen to the song…you just might cry, too.
Yup – there are connections made we don’t understand now but maybe in the afterlife.
I am familiar with all S&G songs and that is one of my favorites. Glad you found this blog and commented. There are others out in the world also connecting. I’d bet more could if they would only notice these things.
I love stories like this. Some would brush it off as coincidence but I think not.
Great story! Thanks for sharing. When I was younger it took a while for Jimmy to grow on me but I always respected his talent as a musician. Recently at work I had to have a talk with one of my coworkers about Jimmy. We play Pandora and I had my Pandora account logged in. I always like it when he comes up in the mix. I guess she didn’t and gave him a thumbs down. I had to tell her if she does not like him she can skip him but do NOT give Jimmy a thumbs down. LOL! I need to keep him in my mix.
Always click the thumbs up for Hendrix. 👍🤠
Cool story Doc T
That is just so amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Dr. T, Thank you for sharing this amazing story. I am the musician/ancient horse caregiver mentioned in your story. Since my dad passed a little over a year ago, there have been many of these interesting coincidences and connections in my life. It was great to meet you and to be able to direct you to Jimi’s resting place. I hope to see you again soon and perhaps we can discuss more horse health, Hendrix and little miracles!
Thank you John for steering me in the direction – This world becomes so amazing sometimes.
Absolutely beautiful. I’m so glad you shared your experience.
Rock on, Doc T!
Nice story Doc T. It might interest you that the father of my children and longtime husband was Eddie Kramer. Best, Joanie😊
Wow – for those interested, Eddie was the producer of Jimi Hendrix and others:
http://www.eddie-kramer.com
http://www.eddie-kramer.com/eddie-kramer-discography/
Thank you for sharing this. I am very grateful and so pleased you were able to read this. Doc T
Goosebumps! Love this story!!!!
Well my dear Doc T, you have struck a chord with the Carnets with this little gem. The irony of the connections to seemingly disparate things is just plain amazing. Hendrix was not a great favorite of mine, but my husband holds him in high regard as a musician. Every time he dusts off the case of his Gibson, lifts it out to play for a while… he usually opens with some Hendrix riff he can never fully master. When I finished reading your post as we sat here finishing lunch, he said “you know I was in Seattle the day Hendrix died.” That pretty much did it for me. Connections are what our experiences in life are made of. You never know what or when those connections will bring you closer to someone. Can’t wait to see you in August!
Gotta love synchronicity !!
Wow!! That was truly God inspired!! Thanks for sharing your experience…
Priceless!