Jimi Hendrix - A Brother's Story - Leon Hendrix

 This is something that I stumbled upon in a Facebook Hendrix page, if I remember correctly. I had no idea that it existed but I liked the concept and was able to find it at a reasonable price so grabbed it to get a different perspective on this musical genius and a personal hero of mine.

Leon Hendrix was Jimi's younger brother and grew up with him in Seattle (and various other cities, off and on) with their alcoholic father (although there was some dispute over whether Al fathered both of them) and a mother that was in'n'out of their lives until her untimely death at a young age. There were other siblings, as well, several with disabilities who were placed in foster care (this was all new to me), but for the most part - there were interruptions - Leon and Jimi were fairly inseparable. Leon did look up to his older brother and followed him around and was highly influenced by him, as younger siblings can be, especially by someone as charismatic as Jimi apparently was, even as a child.

There are lots of intimate details of the familiar lives and the various'n'numerous characters that they interact with as they strive to survive as dirt poor African Americans trying to make ends meet. Leon was placed in relatives' homes off'n'on, but usually close enough that they could all see each other regularly. Jimi's initial contact with musical instruments - first a one string ukulele and then a beat up Kay acoustic - are described as transformative and soon Jimi was playing along with records and with anyone who would let him, including an older gentlemen who recorded the two of them jamming on blues songs! Imagine hearing that tape now! Wow!

Once he finally got his first electric, things moved fast. He spent all of his time with it, played in bands every chance he could, joined the army and played there, as well, was discharged and started playing the Chittlin' Circuit, ending up in NYC, was he was discovered by Chas Chandler. Of course, he didn't have much of a chance to connect with the family during these hectic, exciting times, so Leon learned of his brother's exploits via postcards and the occasional call home. Leon had by then made a name for himself in a bad way by getting caught stealing, but then in a good way, by winning an art contest, the prize being a job at Boeing! Unfortunately, the streets called him back and he went back to hustling'n'stealing, but then heard his neighbors playing his brother's debut album!

After years away from home, Jimi finally made a triumphant return to Seattle in 1967 as one of the biggest rock stars in the world. Leon and the family got to spend a little time with him on this and the subsequent return trips. There is a great story of Leon spending some time in Hollywood with Jimi and girls, girls, girls, along with drugs, alcohol and rock stars galore - who Leon didn't know cuz he was mostly into Motown and so he was unimpressed when he was introduced to Janis Joplin, Eric Burdon, Mick Jagger or Paul McCartney! 

Of course, besides moving fast for Jimi, Leon's life was also a rocket ride of hustlin', women, alcohol, drugs (and more drugs) and lots of bad choices, including a stint in the army in order to avoid jail, but he went AWOL (in order to see Jimi, in fact) and ended up back in jail, where he heard about his brother's death. Lots more ups'n'downs followed, until he finally straightened out and made a life for himself with his own art and music.

Leon disputes other accounts of Jimi's family life, especially his father's adopted daughter claiming to be a blood relative, and, after 50 or more years, it's difficult to know whose version truly is the truth, but Leon really does seem to believe this tale and it's a good one to hear - regardless of the troubles during their upbringing, Leon has nothing but good to say about Jimi, which is heartwarming to his fans who want to believe that he was the truly good soul he appears to be. In any case, it's a good read to get a different perspective. I'm going to have to pull out some of my other Jimi bios now!