Library Rock's Backpages

Jimi Hendrix: The Final Interview

Keith Altham, interview transcript, 11 September 1970

On the evening of Friday, September 11th, 1970, Jimi gave what was to be his final interview at his Cumberland hotel suite. The interview was conducted by Keith Altham, who was one of top journalists of the day. Keith was almost like an old friend to Jimi. He was always on hand to witness and write the most informative articles on Jimi. It was actually Keith Altham's idea that Jimi first set his guitar on fire – which became his trade mark for the next year or so. He had accompanied Jimi on his first tour back to America in 1967 and reported his experience for the New Musical Express. Keith also accompanied Jimi when the group took a well deserved holiday in Spain. Jimi had returned to London in March 1970 for an unexpected visit, and again Keith was on hand to report the visit for Petticoat.This was Jimi Hendrix last ever interview, and fortunately it was with an interviewer that, for once, did understand Jimi's concepts. An edited version appeared in Record Mirror, 3 October 1970.

*

Total word count of piece: 6459

Subscribe

Becoming a member is easy. Membership gives you access to all the thousands of articles in the library.

Click here to go to Subscribe page.

Click here for academic and other group subscriptions.