Quote:
Originally Posted by FrankHudson
Popularity is relative, and with pop music you often have to state at what time you're measuring popularity. He certainly wasn't popular previous to his to-England journey. In England he got to the be the big exotic fish in a small pond--but as yet in America, unknown. Then back to the US. Initially, attention yes, but not overwhelming record sales. One has to remember that "underground" rock acts in the US were just that, a subculture. Legendary acts in their prime played ballrooms and converted movie houses often on triple bills, and some were toured to death with one-nighters. Then post-Woodstock and the festival phenomenon two things changed: sports stadium concerts became plausible for "underground" acts and around the same time the recording business became more systematic in serving the underground rock audience, seeing commercial potential. But those things came in around the last year of Hendrix's life.
The question of what would have happened to Hendrix's career post 1970 is fascinating to me largely because it would have been an entirely different world in so many ways.
So, asking if Jimi Hendrix was popular during his life depends on one's scale. Transferred to today Would you say that Jason Isbell is popular? Is Bill Frisell popular? Is Wilco popular? Yes, they are well established. Attention is paid to what they do. Biggest things in popular music? Well, no.
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I don’t agree with your assessment either.
As with pretty much any performer, his early career was his time paying his dues, developing as an artist, and working his way up. Everything before the Jimi Hendrix Experience falls into that category.
As for him being an underground artist, here’s how the first three albums (which were the only albums released before he died in 1970) did:
“Are You Experienced” hit #2 in the UK and #5 in the US. It sold over a million copies within seven months of its release.
“Axis: Bold as Love” hit #5 in the UK and #3 in the US. It went platinum in both the UK and the US.
“Electric Ladyland” - hit #6 in the UK and #1 in the US.
Woodstock - Hendrix was the highest paid performer and was chosen to close the festival. (He was originally scheduled to go on at Midnight, but due to all the craziness didn’t go on until 9:00 am the next morning.)
He died just over a year later.
Correction: “Band of Gypsys” was also released before his death. It hit #5 in the US and #6 in the UK.