Hendrix Family Feud
Who would have thought that Leon Hendrix, younger brother of Jimi, is a guitarist in a rock band. He’s a decidedly average guitar player judging by Tuesday’s BBC2 documentary about the Hendrix family, but you can’t blame him for attempting to earn a dollar or two on the back of his brother’s legacy.
There’s this perception (one which I shared) that since the Hendrix family won the rights to Jimi’s music after a long legal battle with various music industry heavy-weights, his legacy had returned to its rightful home, namely the family run ‘Experience Hendrix’ label. Experience Hendrix was actually set up by Jimi’s half sister Janie, who Leon believes manipulated his and Jimi’s dying father Al into leaving Leon nothing in his will. Meanwhile, Janie – who is no blood relation to Jimi – is making millions from Jimi Hendrix’s music and name. Both sides of the feud can be accused of greed in the shadow of Jimi Hendrix’s achievements and it’s difficult to decide who his right and wrong in all this (especially from an hour long TV documentary), but it does seem that Leon, being Jimi’s closest living relative, deserves more.
3:21 pm on 25 September 2003 :::
natis Says:ah…nothing is greater than the warm cozy feeling of family.
8:09 pm on 16 December 2003 :::
JYPSYEYE Says:Thank You for adding the Petition Link along with your article. Leon isnt trying to earn a “buck” on the “back” of his brothers anything really, he is pursuing an intimate path spiritually with his brothers spirit with him everyday. If you knew the man, you would gain the same perception. Leon is a very gentle person. Someone that has been through a lot of vulnerabilities. Someone who is emerging a voice in his own family. He loves and misses his brother dearly. More than the world could ever. In that instance its an epiphany to see Jimi’s influence sprout in his brother and to that end the Hendrix music still lives…not the reality altering styles of Jimi, but the presence of Hendrix spirit is in the room whenever he play’s and you feel it. Leon play’s from a place that NOBODY get’s to. From the bond he and his brother had before ANYONE knew who they were.. Fly On Brother~