Why Jimi Hendrix Disliked One Beatles Album
via Jimi Hendrix / Youtube
Jimi Hendrix, a name synonymous with rock music innovation, was never one to hold back his thoughts, whether it be praise or critique. His boldness in sharing opinions was part of what made him a standout figure in the music world. Not even The Beatles, a band revered by millions, could escape Hendrix’s forthright views. His specific thoughts on one of their albums might surprise fans of both Hendrix and the Fab Four.
Hendrix’s Disdain for “The White Album”
It’s well-documented that Hendrix had an admiration for The Beatles, much like the rest of the world. Their paths in music history are intertwined, with Hendrix covering their songs and publicly praising their work. Yet, when it came to The Beatles’ self-titled album, famously known as The White Album, Hendrix harbored some less-than-favorable thoughts.
The White Album has always been a subject of intrigue, celebrated by many for its experimental nature and divergence from previous works. However, Hendrix viewed it less as a step forward and more as a missed opportunity. He felt it represented a regression, a sort of looking back rather than pushing the boundaries of music further.
Hendrix shared, “People are starting to get a little more hep to music nowadays. I think the Beatles are going toward the past a little more. [The White Album is] an inventory of the past 10 years, rock music you know. There’s a lot of people waiting for something else to happen now, anyway.”
View this post on Instagram
Contrasting Views on Musical Progression
This critique underscores a fundamental difference in approach toward musical evolution between Hendrix and The Beatles at that time. For Hendrix, moving music forward was a paramount pursuit, always seeking the next sonic boundary to break. His comment on The White Album suggests he saw the album as playing it safe, a compilation of what had already been done, rather than breaking new ground.
Despite his criticism of The White Album, Hendrix’s respect for The Beatles’ overall contribution to music remained undeniable. He famously played a rendition of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” mere days after its release, a testament to his admiration. Paul McCartney himself reflected on this gesture, stating, “To think that that album had meant so much to him as to actually do it by the Sunday night, three days after the release. He must have been so into it, because normally it might take a day for rehearsal and then you might wonder whether you’d put it in, but he just opened with it.”
The Complex Interplay of Respect and Artistic Vision
The relationship between Hendrix and The Beatles encapsulates a dynamic yet respectful acknowledgment of each other’s contributions to the rock genre. Despite differing opinions on certain works, the mutual appreciation and influence they shared underscored the interwoven fabric of rock music in that era.
Hendrix’s critique of The White Album is not merely a dissenting voice in the chorus of praise The Beatles often received. It serves as a reminder of the diverse perspectives and artistic values that coexisted within the music industry. Each artist, Hendrix included, had their unique vision of what music could be and should become. His viewpoint on The White Album illuminates the varied paths these visions could take, emphasizing innovation and progress in music.
