What an Experience

It is July 8, 1967.

Your teenage kids have driven you crazy until you bought tickets and agreed to go with them to the hottest concert in America. The Monkees.

42 years ago today, the opening act for The Monkees began their first U.S. Tour.




The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Imagine the shock of the audience.

Here is this psychedelic black guitar player making sounds never heard before or since. He is dressed by his British managers in Carnaby Street and tie-dyed funk.

Only a bassist and drummer accompany him.

And then he starts playing. "Hey Joe". "Purple Haze".

Don't know if he played his guitar with his teeth or set the guitar on fire, but even if he didn't that night, he shocked and amazed those lucky patrons at the Jacksonville Coliseum.

His music is as hot and fresh today as in 1967.

But come to think of it, it's been a while since I heard "Last Train to Clarksville."