A few weeks ago, I was very excited and honoured to be invited to play guitar at the London flat at 23, Brook Street shared by Jimi Hendrix and Kathy Etchingham between 1968 and 1969. There is a truly wonderful project in planning that may tell the intimate, acoustic story of one of the most creative musicians of the 20th century.
The flat is very small and cosy – you have to believe that playing music and talking in that space would be quite magical for any musician and of course, playing guitar there was something of a dream come true. You can read more about it here: https://hendrixathome.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/post-114-soundscapes/.
For Jimi, Brook Street was the doorstep to the London music scene of the late 60s. His flat was a short stroll from legendary venues like the Marquee, the Speakeasy and The Scotch of St James and he would spend many evenings wandering from club to club looking for a chance to play.
On 14 September 1997, 23 Brook Street was chosen for an English Heritage Blue Plaque commemorating his life and work. It is the only officially recognised Hendrix residence in the world.
Did you know that GF Handel rented the flat next door at 25 Brook Street during the 18th century? The buildings are sites of real musicological interest and there is definitely something about the rooms lived in by these master musicians. You can learn more about the project on the Capital Project link, and follow developments on the Hendrix at Home Blog written by Sarah Bardwell.
(image (c) www.KathyEtchingham.com)