Jimi Hendrix death: What were Jimi Hendrix's last words? (2024)

Pathologist opens case into Jimi Hendrix's suspicious death

Jimi Hendrix became a member of The 27 Club when he died in a shocking turn of events. He died after spending time with his last girlfriend Monika Danneman, and the effects of his death were felt by fans all over the world. However, his final words are haunting in many ways, while he also left a poem, showing his feelings on the fateful day.

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    Jimi Hendrix had been a user of alcohol and drugs throughout his career.

    On the day of his death, while details have been disputed, it is generally considered he spent most of the day with his last girlfriend and figure skater Monika Dannemann.

    Dannemann was with Hendrix on the night of his death, and she said she prepared a meal and wine for them at her apartment in the Samarkand Hotel.

    They then drove to a friend’s house, where he remained before she went to collect him in the early hours of September 18, 1970.

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    What were Jimi Hendrix's last words? (Image: Getty)

    Jimi Hendrix death: What were Jimi Hendrix's last words? (2)

    Jimi Hendrix performing on stage (Image: Getty)

    According to Dannemann, the pair chatted at her flat until the early morning before they went to sleep, at which point she found him unresponsive, but breathing.

    He was taken by ambulance to St Mary Abbot’s Hospital but was pronounced dead at 12.45pm.

    Later, Dannemann revealed Hendrix had taken many of her prescribed sleeping pills, which would be far greater than the dosage.

    However, others have suggested different versions of his death, so it will likely remain a mystery.

    Jimi Hendrix death: What were Jimi Hendrix's last words? (3)

    Jimi Hendrix wrote a poem on his last day (Image: Getty)

    Jimi Hendrix death: What were Jimi Hendrix's last words? (4)

    The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Image: Getty)

    What were Jimi Hendrix’s last words?

    According to The Guardian, Hendrix’s last words were: "I need help bad, man."

    Evidently he was aware he was in distress, however ultimately he could not be saved.

    However, some feel Hendrix was trying to send a further message, as there was a poem found by his deathbed.

    Clearly people believe he was trying to communicate in his final moments, and the last words of the poem are reported as reading: “The story of life is quicker than the wink of an eye.

    “The story of love is hello and goodbye, until we meet again.”

    In Tony Brown’s book, Jimi Hendrix: The Final Day, the musician told Danneman: “I want you to keep this [poem] forever [and] I don't want you to forget anything that is written."

    He added: “It's a story about you and me.”

    While the exact information about Hendrix’s death is not definite, it has been suggested he had a bath and wrote the poem before his death.

    Jimi Hendrix death: What were Jimi Hendrix's last words? (2024)

    FAQs

    Jimi Hendrix death: What were Jimi Hendrix's last words? ›

    Hendrix's final known words were recorded on an answering machine he left for his manager and friend Chas Chandler the night before he was found dead. He said, “I need help bad, man.” This naturally led to people speculating what exactly Hendrix needed help with.

    What did Hendrix say before he died? ›

    These are the final touching recorded words of the late great, Jimi Hendrix: “The story of Jesus/So easy to explain/After they crucified him/A woman, she claimed his name / […] The story of life is quicker than the wink of an eye/The story of love is hello and goodbye, until we meet again.”

    What were the last words Jimi Hendrix wrote? ›

    His last words were “I need help bad, man”. Aside from that, a poem he wrote was found at his deathbed. This was the last sentence of the poem: How did Jimi Hendrix operate in the studio?

    What was the poem found by Jimi Hendrix when he died? ›

    The poem, often referred to as The Story Of Life, reportedly begins: “The story of Jesus/So easy to explain/After they crucified him/A woman, she claimed his name.”

    What was Jim Morrison's last words? ›

    His last words were allegedly “Are you there, Pam? Pam, are you there?” and the official cause of death was reported as heart failure. According to Danny Sugerman, co-author of No One Here Gets Out Alive: The Biography of Jim Morrison, the couple had been snorting heroin together that night.

    Who did Jimi Hendrix say was the best? ›

    Chances are, like the rest of us, it would change with every new lick, solo or song. But there's a good chance that on most occasions, if you asked Hendrix who the best around was, he'd answer “Billy Gibbons”.

    What condition did Jimi Hendrix have? ›

    He was pronounced dead at 12:45 p.m. The post-mortem examination concluded that Hendrix aspirated his own vomit and died of asphyxia while intoxicated with barbiturates.
    ...
    Death of Jimi Hendrix.
    Samarkand Hotel in September 2008
    DateSeptember 18, 1970
    CauseAsphyxia due to aspiration of vomit; contributed to by barbiturate intoxication
    7 more rows

    Did Ringo Starr evict Jimi Hendrix? ›

    During a particularly bad acid trip, Hendrix had a bit of an episode, and by “episode”, I mean he made a relatively permanent mess by throwing whitewash all over the walls. After this, Ringo Starr had to put his foot down and evict the musician for ruining his apartment.

    How much would Jimi Hendrix be worth today? ›

    In fact, it is estimated that Jimi Hendrix's estate is worth $175 million. Who is in control of that estate? Not the person whom Jimi Hendrix wanted to have control. You see, Jimi Hendrix died without a will.

    How rich was Jimi Hendrix when he died? ›

    Jimi Hendrix Net Worth

    His estimated net worth at the time of his death in 1970 was around $80 million, which has since grown to an estimated $175 million in 2019. His estate continues to generate substantial income from his extensive catalog of music, merchandise, endorsem*nts, and other ventures.

    Who is Jimi Hendrix's son? ›

    Did Jimi Hendrix have a child? ›

    What was Amy Winehouse's last words? ›

    It is believed that the artist's last words were: “I don't want to die.” These words were uttered after a long period of abstinence from alcohol when Dr. Romete visited her the night before she died.

    What was Jim Morrison's addiction? ›

    Conclusions: Jim Morrison is an exemplary case showing that heavy drinking and the abuse of LSD, mescaline and amphetamines damages the capacity to realize creative motivation.

    What music was played at Jimi Hendrix funeral? ›

    During Jimi Hendrix's funeral, a moving song was played for the crowd to hear: 'When the Saints Go Marchin' In. ' The pallbearers were all childhood friends of Jimi, and the crowd was moved to tears by the song's lyrics.

    What did Albert King say about Jimi Hendrix? ›

    The esteemed 'Born Under a Bad Sign' bluesman continued: “Everybody says, 'Well, he's a hell of a blues player. ' No way, man. We played many shows together, and that night, I taught him a lesson about the blues. Now I could've very easily played his songs, but he couldn't play mine.”

    What was Jimi Hendrix biggest hit? ›

    'All Along the Watchtower'

    Jimi Hendrix may be the most successful rock star of all time to only have a single song land in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100.

    What was Jimi Hendrix number one hit song? ›

    What Was Jimi Hendrix Only Number One Song? Jimi Hendrix's only number one song was his iconic classic, “All Along the Watchtower.” Released in 1968, this song has since gone down in history as one of the most iconic and influential rock and roll songs of all time.

    Who is considered the best guitarist ever? ›

    Top 10 Best Guitarists of All Time
    RankGuitaristTop Strength
    1Jimi HendrixInventing New Techniques
    2Jimmy PageVersatility and Innovative Use of Guitar Effects
    3Eric ClaptonIndisputable Mass Appeal
    4Guthrie GovanAll-Around Technical Virtuoso
    6 more rows
    Apr 13, 2023

    Who was Jimi Hendrix best friend? ›

    The friendship between Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix was a short but intense one. The two guitarists were well aware of the other's power with the instrument, and before Hendrix's tragic death, it was clear the two artists were kindred spirits.

    Was Freddie Mercury a fan of Jimi Hendrix? ›

    Freddie still loved Jimi Hendrix, (he once saw Hendrix perform live 14 night in a row), and was a huge fan of Cream and a new group called Led Zeppelin.

    Did Jimi Hendrix have a high IQ? ›

    It seemed that Jim Morrison had 149 IQ, Jimi Hendrix is thought to have around 140-ish IQ, John Lennon same way 140ish, Brian May completed PhD on astrophysics (which I assume requires some intelligence) and so on...

    Was Jimi bipolar? ›

    Jimi Hendrix

    The rock guitar legend got expelled from high school, once stole a car, and lasted just a year in the Army after his commanding officers suggested an early discharge. He later wrote a song called "Manic Depression," which described his trouble with mood swings.

    Why was Jimi Hendrix so special? ›

    Widely recognized as one of the most creative and influential musicians of the 20th century, Jimi Hendrix pioneered the explosive possibilities of the electric guitar. Hendrix's innovative style of combining fuzz, feedback and controlled distortion created a new musical form.

    What did Paul McCartney say about Jimi Hendrix? ›

    Jimi was a sweetie, a very nice guy.” When Sgt. Pepper's later arrived in June Hendrix would be one of, if not the, first artist to perform a song from the record before a live audience. “I remember him opening at the Saville on a Sunday night, 4 June 1967,” Paul later shared.

    Did The Beatles like Jimi Hendrix? ›

    Jimi died shortly after this arrival, in 1970, but during his short stint in London did he become friends with The Beatles? The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix were certainly friends, though Jimi and Sir Ringo Starr's relationship was a little trickier.

    Did The Beatles ever meet Jimi Hendrix? ›

    Another clashing of worlds between rock legends took place on a fateful night at the Saville, on June 4th, 1967. Paul McCartney and George Harrison were in the audience as The Jimi Hendrix Experience headlined and played an electrifying set at the famous venue in London.

    How much did Hendrix get paid for Woodstock? ›

    Hendrix was paid $18,000 for appearing at Woodstock, which is the equivalent of about $125,000 today. There was also a clause in his contract stipulating that no one could perform after Jimi Hendrix at the festival.

    Who owns Jimi Hendrix estate now? ›

    Who Owns Jimi Hendrix Estate. The Jimi Hendrix estate is owned by the Jimi Hendrix Estate LLC, a company owned by Janie Hendrix, Jimi's sister. Janie was named as the sole heir to the estate upon Jimi's death in 1970, and she has been actively involved in preserving her brother's legacy ever since.

    Who was Jimi Hendrix heir? ›

    Hendrix died in September 1970. His father, James Allen “Al” Hendrix, was heir to Jimi's estate and later formed Experience Hendrix with his daughter, Janie, who has continued to run the company following Al's death in 2002.

    Who is buried with Jimi Hendrix? ›

    The Hendrix family is buried in the churchyard, as are his father, James Allen Ross “Al” Hendrix (1919-2003), his grandmother Zenora Hendrix (1884-1985), and his uncle, Frank Hendrix (1918-1986). On the day before his 60th birthday, the rock star's remains were secretly interred in a new grave.

    Who did Jimi Hendrix leave his fortune to? ›

    Jimi Hendrix inheritance

    Hendrix's father James Allen Hendrix inherited the money and when he died, he left a will to divide the money between children and grandchildren. However, his other son Leon Hendrix was left only a golden record of his brother's.

    Who got Jimi Hendrix money when he died? ›

    Jimi Hendrix died intestate in 1970, so his father, Al, inherited the estate.

    Who was Jimi Hendrix's favorite guitarists? ›

    Douglas asked Hendrix: “What's it was like to be the best rock guitarist in the world?” and, pausing for a moment, Jimi then beautifully responded: “I don't know, you'll have to ask Rory Gallagher”. For that reason alone, he could easily be considered Jimi's all-time favourite.

    Who owns Jimi Hendrix music? ›

    The estate of legendary musician Jimi Hendrix is owned by two companies created by his father, Al Hendrix, in 1995. Experience Hendrix and Authentic Hendrix are both owned by the musician's father. Janie Jinka, Al's adopted daughter, has continued to run the businesses since his death in 2002.

    Where is Jimi Hendrix buried? ›

    Image of Where is Jimi Hendrix buried?
    Greenwood Memorial Park is a cemetery in the northwest United States, located in Renton, Washington, a suburb southeast of Seattle. It is notable as the resting place of rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix, a Seattle native; over 14,000 fans visit his memorial annually.
    Wikipedia

    Was Jimi Hendrix black or mixed? ›

    The history has since been corrected, but for years Hendrix — who was of Black and Native American heritage — was frequently described by fans and the press as someone who transcended race. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

    Did Jimi Hendrix ever meet his son? ›

    But did you know he had a biological family? It has been rumored that Hendrix fathered a son with Eva Sundqvist and that they had a brief relationship. The infant's name, Daniel, also appears to have been acknowledged by Hendrix, who is said to have met him at least once.

    What does the name Hendrix mean? ›

    Though Hendrix is best associated with the musical icon, it is, in fact, a historical name that derives from the German and Dutch name, Hendrik, meaning "estate ruler." The X spelling certainly elevates this eternally cool title.

    How much alcohol did Amy drink? ›

    Here's what you should know: How much did she drink? When she died, Winehouse's blood-alcohol level was more than five times Britain's drunk-driving limit. She had 416 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood; the legal limit in Britain is 80 mg.

    What were Whitney Houston's last words? ›

    The alledged last words that Whitney Houston said were "I just want to love and be loved" these were the last words spoke by Whitney.

    What did Amy Winehouse confess? ›

    Describing Amy's demeanour on the night before she died, Dr. Romete said said the singer appeared "calm and somewhat guilty" and was "tipsy" but "able to hold a conversation". She said Amy confessed that she'd started drinking again on July 20 - just three days before her death.

    Was Jim Morrison's IQ? ›

    He Had an IQ of 149

    His musical abilities were unknown to his high-school classmates, who believed the real future star would be fellow student Ellen Cohen. (She later became Cass Elliott of the singing group The Mamas and the Papas.) Morrison graduated from UCLA's film school with a degree in theater arts.

    Why did Jim Morrison disown his family? ›

    After Morrison left Florida and went to California to study film at UCLA in 1964, he began saying his parents and siblings were dead, describing himself as an orphan. Chewning told the publication she believes Morrison told the lie to keep his counterculture lifestyle separate from his more traditional family.

    Who ended up with Jim Morrison's estate? ›

    Either way, when he died, his net worth was a relatively modest $400,000. He was unmarried but had a common law wife named Pamela Courson, and in his will, he left everything to her.

    What did Jimi Hendrix say before he died? ›

    The final words of what Hendrix had written, whether poem or a song he was working on, reportedly read: “The story of life is quicker than the wink of an eye/The story of love is hello and goodbye, until we meet again.”

    Who died first Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin? ›

    Janis Joplin (1943-1970)

    She died of a heroin overdose in October 1970, less than three weeks after the death of fellow rock icon Jimi Hendrix.

    Was Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin at Woodstock? ›

    Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix were two of the most iconic figures at Woodstock in 1969. The crowd was mesmerized by their performances, which saw both artists performing at their peak and showcasing their individual styles.

    What was Jimi Hendrix illness? ›

    He later wrote a song called "Manic Depression," which described his trouble with mood swings. Despite his mental health issues, Hendrix's performances at Monterey and Woodstock still get talked about today.

    What lung disease did Hendrix have? ›

    Producers took the decision to kill Hendrix off, which came as a shock to Turland until the story was explained to him and he realises that his character would come full circle with his family. Hendrix is diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis as a result of saving Mackenzie from a fire.

    What did Jimi Hendrix get kicked out of the army for? ›

    Although Hendrix had signed up for three years of service, Captain Gilbert Batchman had had enough after one year, and made the case for Hendrix to be discharged, as his problems were judged to not be treatable by "hospitalization or counseling." An alleged ankle injury during a parachute jump gave Young Hendrix the ...

    Did Jimi Hendrix have a lover? ›

    Hendrix met Kathy Etchingham on his first day in London in September 1966, and they embarked on what was to be a two and half year relationship. Kathy was the inspiration behind Hendrix's classic songs 'Gypsy Eyes', 'The Wind Cries Mary' & perhaps even 'Foxy Lady.

    Why is Hendrix coughing so much? ›

    Hendrix is diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called sarcoidosis, which has attacked his lungs and caused his recent coughing.

    Why does Hendrix keep coughing? ›

    His persistent cough revealed he had sarcoidosis, which is often treatable. However, it had already developed into pulmonary fibrosis, likely caused by the toxic fumes he breathed in when he rushed into a burning Erinsborough High to save girlfriend Mackenzie (Georgie Stone).

    What is the most fatal lung disease? ›

    Lung cancer is the most lethal cancer, killing 1.76 million individuals each year. Asthma affects 334 million individuals, making it the most prevalent chronic condition in children.

    Why did Ringo Starr evict Jimi Hendrix? ›

    He was subletting the apartment, which was shared between Hendrix himself, his girlfriend Kathy Etchingham, his manager Chas Chandler, and Chandler's girlfriend, Lotta Null. Their rent for the entire place was only £30.

    Did Jimi Hendrix ever serve in Vietnam? ›

    His service in the 101st Airborne Division gave him an early start in his musical career, and it was a formative experience for him at the time. Despite the fact that it is not well known, Jimi Hendrix served as a paratrooper during the Vietnam War.

    What did Jimi Hendrix have to do with The Beatles? ›

    For the most part, Hendrix respected The Beatles. However, there was one album by the group that he despised and believed to signal a decline in their talent.

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