I appreciate that this wasn’t a “musicians today aren’t as good as they used to be” commentary but instead calling out the music industry for not respecting today’s musicians. Thank you.

The loss of free-form FM radio plays a major role here. In the late 60's, 70's, and even into the 80's, FM had DJs who could basically play whatever they wanted. This allowed numerous artists to break through. Corporate radio with its strict playlists and format have killed the public's access to any great music that might be out there.

I’m so Glad that Jimi Hendrix did become Famous in the 60’s because He influenced many many guitar players to play and He definitely deserves to be remembered through the ages!!!

Jimi was more than a player. He was a creative force.

When you play an instrument, it makes you apprecciate great musicianship even more.

Frank Zappa explained it the best when he said the old time cigar chomping executives gave the artist free will and when the young college kid executives took over they ruined music because they interjected themselves way too much.

I always knew it but never realized it. I have to agree. Where are all the musicians? I started playing a musical instrument in 1965, a cornet. By 67 I switch to a Fender P bass. By 1969 I was in a band and had a hundred close friends and most of them played an instrument. There were 7 kids my age that lived on my street and all of us played an instrument and still do today. Of the 90 that are still alive, all but a few still play. In fact I've got a gig with 5 of them in Austin next week. One of my sons played in the school band for 7 years but nothing more than that. You can lead them to the trough but you can't make them drink. My 2yr old grandson has shown an intense interest in my playing and I vow before I die to teach/show him the lifetime of love playing a musical instrument can bring into your life. 2nd to my family playing a musical instrument has given me the most joy everyday of my life for the past 59 years. Damn, I should be famous after playing that long. O'Well, I think I'll go shred a few.

In many ways the musicians of the 70’s and 80’s are incredibly famous to this day because they are the first to ever do what they did, they way that they did it. If you look at the staying power of Jimi, Queen, Van Halen, etc; it is so much more than anything that will ever be enjoyed by future generations of musicians. If anything, music is becoming more and more disposable over time. If things keep going on this trajectory, hit songs might last a week instead of a month and never be heard from again, but people will still be listening to Hey Joe and Panama because of their musical ability but more importantly because of the cultural relevance of a song that was listened to by multiple generations. I recently thought about this with my wife, who was not interested in the subject. Just 15 years ago (2008), if you wanted to listen to a band or a song multiple times, on demand it wasn’t easy. You had to walk into a music store or a dept store, find the CD that the song was on, determine that the rest of the albums wasn’t total crap, then walk up to the counter and say, hey “this is something that I’m willing to pay $15 for”, and walk out with it. You were basically saying, this is who I am, in some small way. How many kids today would be willing to pay $15 or more for a whole physical CD of something like Miley Cyrus, Meghan the Stallion, or whatever people find themselves listening to these days? How many would be willing to bet that this artist can produce 10 or more songs that are worth paying for and spending time on? I can guarantee that streaming has created this disconnect with the music that used to always be there. If you like Nirvana today, it takes almost no effort or money to listen to just about everything that they ever published. On the contrary, if you really liked Nirvana in 1992, you had to go to the store, find the CD, pull it out of the shelf amount 1,000s of other options, walk up to the counter and put $20 bucks of your hard earned money on the counter. That was a big deal and nothing today comes close to that experience except for buying concert tickets.

100% accurate. Centralization of power is always the death of creativity, independence and the individual.

Jimi came up in the perfect era for the type of artist he was. One in a million.

This reminded me of a interview with Satchel of Steel Panther. He said something along the lines of "I was dedicated to my guitar and became very good at it and then on my first day of music college I meet a couple hundred players that are every bit as good as me." There are a million amazing guitar players these days so who knows how Hendrix would be perceived. Right time, right place. Maybe. Still a legend, innovator, and inspiration no matter what.

Most bands in the 60's and 70's had signature style and for the most part one band could not be confused with another, same with a few bands in the 80's and fewer in the 90's and so on, none today, so sad.

I really appreciate that Rick jumps straight into his videos! No intro, no ads, no BS, he goes straight into it. I love it!

A few years ago my mother and her friend would have afternoon teaand I would join them. They were in their eighties. One afternoon we were talking about music and I mentioned Jimi Hendrix. "He was such a lovely boy," my mums friend said. "Did you know him?" I asked her. She had met him after befriending his girlfriend. He had told her that sometimes he felt lonely here in the UK, so she invited them to her house for afternoon tea and sandwiches. It became a regular thing for them. She said she had no idea who he was other then he was an extremely polite, lonely American who played music for a living. Apparently her called her his English mom.

If Axis Bold as Love and Electric Lady Land came out today people would be blown away! It would be better then sliced bread! And they would be saying how this new Hendrix dude is ahead of his time and rock music would be reborn!! Most people today don’t know what it was like to grow up in the 1970s and buy all those great albums with much anticipation. You would put the album on and have the cover to stare at, often with lyrics and a poster.

Bob Erlendson just passed away at 93. He played with Lenny Breau. Lenny of course, taught Randy Bachman. I was so lucky to have studied under Bob.

Consider this also: more and more concert-goers are more interested in recording the gig, and posting it online, than truly enjoying the experience. One could conclude (obviously), that people are more interested and invested in their own celebrity than that of any musician, band or artist.

I was a garage drummer in the 70's. All the guitar players loved Hendrix, Clapton , Page. They had riffs and solos that carried the bands. The school band guys could read music and excelled. Drums and piano went hand and hand. There's something lost today.

Rick You should do a deep dive on ‘Third Stone from the Sun’ It was years ahead of its time and still sounds incredible today A jazz rock masterpiece !! Jimi’s brilliant use of feedback and beautiful octave melody line ala Wes Montgomery The psychedelic lyrics as if from an Alien in Space ! Wow Mitch’s amazing jazz drumming !!!!

If you ever saw Jimi Hendrix live in person you would know that Hendrix was such an extraordinary talent and so original and he was an extraordinary talent as a performer singer song writer arranger and image icon ! Anyone who still reverberates as strongly as Hendrix over 50 years would be a star today !

I was a professional guitarist in the 60s and knew every note played by those that you mentioned. IMO, the demise of creativity in the music industry coincided with the introduction of big money control of the content. Musical talent had a better chance to rise to the top when the entertainment industry was run by musicians. Today it no longer is.

Actually Hendrix had trouble making it in the U.S, that's why he went to the U.K. He was a great songwriter and extremely creative. The dude was quiet but definately had charisma too. So IMO Jimi was a total package, not just a great player!

Rick mostly answered his own question. In the 70's and 80's people were into learning an instrument and also paying attention to the player-ship of other musicians. With the internet there are too many distractions, people pay less attention to instruments themselves, they just want a catchy song now.

Most of today's music is producer driven with a lot of studio magic

Hendrix was extremely innovative as well as skilled. Todays biggest stars are often marked by their personality. Given how talented and creative Hendrix was it is hard to imagine that he wouldn’t be famous with the platforms, musical tools, and his ability to be an icon, or in todays terms: influencer.

I’ve said this for an eternity. I truly agree. So many artists then are mere KZfaqrs today. Neil Young said similarly he’d have no chance today because he didn’t look the part and didn’t fit into MTV’s mold.

Thank you for bringing this to light. As a guitarist of 36 years and classically trained, I feel that this is lost in the world.

I could not agree more. It doesn’t matter the style of music, because everything changes, but it’s really fun to hear superb musicianship. You don’t get so much of that these days unless you’re into jazz. I took music lessons at school and played in the band from grade 7 through grade 12. It gave me a really good appreciation of songs and music and how things are put together. And it’s a beautifully non-digital experience. You blow into the instrument, move your fingers, and these amazing rich tones come out. Unless you’re learning, and horrible squawks and squeaks come out. It also teaches you to work together for a common cause, a common sound.

Hendrix wasn’t just a guitar player. He came in and did something that wasn’t done before. If he was in present time, he would certainly come up with something innovative that would bubble him to the top of Instagram.

Billy Shehan said in an interview that the difference between “the good ol’ days” and today is that the number of local clubs and venues have dropped and today’s up and coming players don’t get a chance to develop like groups in 50’s through the 70’s. Between DJ’s and karaoke clubs, there aren’t many live gig situations. Heck, by the time the Beatles were “discovered”, they were polished musicians with thousands and thousands of live gigs behind them! So many of the names you mentioned were polished before anyone knew about them and then they blew people away! Eddie Van Halen was ready for his shot when he got his chance because he’d done his homework and knew what he wanted to achieve. The same for all the rest on your list!

The problem is that today’s players aren’t advertised or played on the radio today. I believe if classic rock stations would mix in their playlists with some of the modern day players, we can bring them to the surface. I believe if we change what classic rock means from music of a certain era to just great rock music regardless of era, we can bring this music back. I haven’t listened to modern music for quite some time. Today I’m trying to discover the greats of the past because that’s where the great music is. I know all the classic acts like like The Beatles, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Queen, etc., but since COVID happened, I’ve been exploring long forgotten bands of the past that are great that should still be playing on the radio such as Uriah Heep, Rainbow, The Sweet, UFO, The Left Banke, Vanilla Fudge, 70s era Scorpions, etc. these are bands I’ve not heard on the radio and discovered on my own. These are groups that were playing long before I was born. I wish today’s music was this good, but I must go to the past to get my musical fix, because today’s music is lost on me. I am grateful I am alive today, because I can go back to the past and examine yesterday’s music at the drop of a hat. The only downside is I can’t see many of these bands live as most of them have members who have long passed away.

I love you Rick Beato you show us so much about REAL MUSIC. You are a hero to me!

We were totally immersed in music in the 70s. We learned all the lyrics, read music mags cover to cover and everyone was in a band.

Just remember, Jimi Hendrix played Backup for many Soul and R&B Acts before going Solo. A Guitarist has to Know Rhythm; Chords, Different Time Signatures and Inverted Chords to Function in these Genres. Jim would get bored and play Scorching Lead Solos over Chord Changes, it resulted in James Brown Punching Hendrix, He was traded to Otis Redding for a couple Horn Players. Billy Cox stated Some Soul and R&B Acts weren't prepared for Jimi stepping out of bounds and adding Lead Solos when he was supposed to play strictly Rhythm. Some of these Bands would leave Jimi Stranded in the Middle of Nowhere. Jimi played Backup for King Curtis; Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Otis Redding, Curtis Knight, The Marvellettes, Ike & Tina Turner, John Hammond Jr, Little Richard, Joey Dee & the Starliters, Marvin Gaye, BB King, Sam Cooke and The Isley Brothers. Jimi Hendrix loved Jazz; Classical, Folk, Rock, Blues, R&B, Soul, Gospel, Country & Funk. Jimi Hendrix considered Bob Dylan a Master Lyricist and studied his Compositions. Jimi jammed with Miles Davis, Larry Young, Roland Kirk, Stanley Clarke, Wayne Shorter, Les Paul, John Mclaughlin and Other Jazz Musicians Producer Alan Douglas could Line him up With. Guitar Greats that love Jimi Hendrix Joe Satriani; Stevie Vai, John Mclaughlin, George Benson, Les Paul, Kenny Burrell, Slash, Ritchie Blackmore, Yngwei Malmsteen, SRV, Carlos Santana, Eric Johnson, Edward Van Halen, Tony Iommi, Jake E Lee, and Countless Others. Music Universitys and Jazz Musicians regard Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis as 2 of the most Innovative Musicians of the 20th Century. His Position in Modern Music is Unmovable. Period. Rest in Peace Jimi Hendrix.

When I was a kid growing up in Detroit, Motown was in the air. One day, a friend and I decided to go buy some records. He picked up "David Ruffin Sings Top Ten", and I took a chance on "Are You Experienced". We spun the Ruffin record on my parents' Curtis Mathis console, and it pleasingly met our expectations. Then I pulled out the Hendrix album, with the art-damaged fish-eye freaks adorning its cover, put it on and cranked it up. It had a stunningly new and raw energy that was almost frightening to behold. While we were absorbing the sonic explosion, a stranger walked off the street, slid open the door-wall and stuck his head inside to listen. Hendrix was blasting a new frontier.

If people had never heard or seen someone play guitar like that, today? Jimi would be famous all over again. That was the condition when he came about. And that's why he's a legend.

'How many diamonds have been overlooked in the pursuit of coal?' That saying pretty much sums up today's music and music industry ( and why Jimi Hendrix wouldn't be famous today ).

There was a lot more to Hendrix than his playing (though that was definitely legendary). He was a powerful writer, striking performer, and evocative vocalist as well. Hendrix 2022 would've been a different artist than Hendrix 1967 - but I suspect he would've still made an impact.

I am a private music teacher. I teach drums, guitar and piano. Just in one city (Raleigh) I have had more than 100 students in the last 4 years. I have friends teaching in different music stores, each store have around 7 to 15 music teachers. Each teacher can have around 15 students (just in one store). In this area there is a lot of music schools and more than 50 private instructors. People still learning music like in the old days. That is not the problem There are several reasons why music stars in the 70's were different: 1. The electric guitar was an instrument that was still being explore. People were fascinated by the new sounds you could get with this instrument. Today the fascination is more about music styles. 2. Musicians just wanted to play music. Most of them did not know anything about how to manage the music as a product. Ergo, they needed the labels to promote them. Today musicians don't need a label to promote their music. 3. The music industry has no point in today's world. The labels take around 85% of all the profits generated by the Artist's music (and a lot of times they owned the master-track). In the 70's, this was acceptable because they needed the industry to make their career. Today, an average musician doesn't need the label to promote the product. There is literally no reason for new artists to sign a deal with a label today; why should a musician allow the industry take most of their profit when they can record and promote the music by themselves? 4. There is a incredible short spam of attention between new generations. As a result, you have the big labels investing in established artists/producers/arrangers/composers, and buying old music because they don't know what to do with new artists. They need to invest the money in things they know it will be profitable for them (which is fine), but as a result you have all the attention focused in a few established artists while new Artists have problems to break through. I don't think musicians owned the music industry in the 70's, it was actually the other way around. Even the Beatles talked about how the industry owned their music. Musicians were (and still are) exploited by the industry (you can take Taylor Swift as an example: she needed to record all her music again). Today, we have more independent artists than ever. We have artists like Jimi Hendrix today, they just don't have a big label putting it in your face like before. They don't have the capital money to compete in a super-start level, but they still have fans.

Jimi beyond being a top#1 player he was also a fashion style star! he has the Force. He will shine and rise in 2023 media way

You've got to remember that if Hendrix came up during this time he wouldn't make the same music he made back in the 60s. He took what people were doing before him and pushed in a way where his influence is still being felt today. He was one of the most creative minds music has ever witnessed and I'm sure he would find ways to innovate today as he did in the 60's. To say that nobody would know who Hendrix was if he came up nowadays is a statement made without factoring in his personality.

Being a former computer programmer, I would have to say that technology (especially smart phones, social media, and video games) along with a total lack of appreciation of history, music, etc., has damaged or has abused our culture. My sister constantly has to tell her two daughters to get off the phone or playing video games. I recall that John Lennon song "You Don't Know What You Got, Until You Lose It." rings loudly in head regarding this subject. Not having everything at your fingertips makes people not appreciate those good aspects of our culture. Being a 1970s kid, I remember actually being bored. Only having four channels of TV; no VCR's or DVDs; having to wait for several months for that good movie to be released in the theaters; had to use my allowance to buy the latest magazine to find out about the next great movie; having radio, vinyl, or 8 track to hear music; only having PONG or the arcades, which you needed quarters to play. Being bored, I actually had to GO OUTSIDE or START A HOBBY or WORK ON A CRAFT. Now I can't down KZfaqrs too much. Just to be popular with significant subscribers takes hard work. However for one of content creator like yourself, Rick, there is a thousand plus who make garbage KZfaq videos and get much more subscribers: Playing and recording video games, unboxing videos, girls putting on makeup only, guys doing JACKASS stunts, etc. It's just too easy to have people with this flood of technology to revert to their base and lazy desires. Instead to trying to perfect the art (music, movies, etc.) people go to the bottom of the barrel. And then there is TikTok.

Rick, I'm 60, this era was mine too. My mom was a studio pianist in the SF Bay Area in the 60s and 70s. I still have about 700 LP's from that era. I grew up going to Bill Grahm presents Day On The Green concerts at the Oakland Colusseum. I'm not really complaining or dumping on the current generation, I want them to have their time too, but I do kinda fear that this special time of monster bands and the monster musicians that supported or led them is fading into never-never land. Keep doing your great work, and keep talking about it. Peace.

The modern day Hendrix would probably be caught up in rap culture, and Zappa would probably be a KZfaqr making quirky songs on live streams

The amount of talent that goes unnoticed in today's society is enormous the music industry is a lottery in my opinion..

When Rick said “ I know, I remember, I was there”, I got watery eyes. I’ll be 68 in a few days. I remember also. And as I watch these guys pass on, it makes me sad and I think about my own mortality. Rick forgot to mention Leon Russel, who sang “How many days has it been since I was born? How many days ‘till I die?” Leon was involved in so many other artists, producing, singing, playing keys, guitar, bass. He helped make the Bangla Desh concert happen for George Harrison, bailed Joe Cocker out of his visa problems with the “Mad Dogs and Englishmen” tour. Yep, these guys were star’s because of their musicianship. Great post, Rick.

I love Rick and his enthusiasm for music these videos are goldust

Back then only the best of the best were able to make records and be heard on the radio. Whereas today, with powerful computers, advanced software, and the Internet, anyone can record music and put it out on the web. It’s like we’re overwhelmed with the sheer numbers of good musicians. There is so much music and so many musicians that the best players just kind of get lost in the crowd.

Hendrix CHANGED the music style of the day. Before his entrance to the scene, we were playing the kind of rock, that was very melodic and vocally strong. Jimi brought a WHOLE different style of brutal attack and we had our mouths open, knowing that this would be a a new style of the future to come. Every solo was lick oriented, and we saw the challenge in learning his style. ( Not mentioned..was the introduction of the unwrapped third string. Suddenly, we were able to bend the 3rd, which led to so many more riffs to learn. The fact that his vocals was the tension in a line, his shadow playing, following the vocal line...was a challenging, but important part.) Ohhh.. and by the way, I'm 70 years old and was blown away by his ability to create and play the rhythms to "EASY RIDER", "LITTLE WING", "NIGHTBIRD FLYING" with such ease.. His stent with the Isley Brothers, taught him R&B rhythms that furthered his knowledge... Well enough said. You had to be there, to know and feel the iconic change to the musical of the day.

I think Hendrix would be big today. He played great guitar but also had great songs. Songs are what stand the test of time.

I have seen many of your videos - thank you so much for them! This one is pretty sad. I‘m so glad that we have the music of these real virtuosos!

Jimi was the whole package. It was metal, lead, R&B, blues, rock, even country at times. Jimi loved country. His amazing, unique rhythm in general, his beautiful voice, the lyrics/story (so much of which came from such a broken childhood), the authenticity, the groundbreaking, paradigm shifting feedback and lead tones from Machine Gun and so many other tracks. Jimi was the WHOLE package. Both Jimi and Eddie changed form and function of electric guitar and modern music. Today, we call an Ed Sheeran a great songwriter, or a Taylor Swift. The bar Jimi set has not been reached, in my opinion. Exhibit A is Little WIng. Simple chord progression, UNFORGETTABLE song. So many others... Nobody holds a candle to Jimi. Eddie was just as influential and important, just different. He was the whole package, too! He sang, wrote piano parts, knew drums, so did Jimi! But without Jimi there would be no Ed Sheeran or Taylor Swift or pop star. Jimi was a rockstar and a visionary artist, but what the machine ultimately turned the most attention drawing thing into, at the time, was "pop." Jimi's grandmother spoke about things he said to her, about how he felt he was being used and abused for money, and was even in fear for his life. I have read a dozen books from different accounts and angles on Jimi from others and studied his life for years. Jimi predated the mechanized music industry, though back then it was basically ruled by a different mechanized financing which shall not be disclosed, despite the evidence (sure, drowning in wine isn't an old Mob trick...). Jimi had it all, went through it all, spoke his truth about his life authentically through music. Jimi was like a rising phoenix in music, born from ashes; "...cause the life that lived, is dead." "Fall on trees, just don't fall on me. Point on, mister businessman, you can't dress like me." "I'm the one who's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to." Love you, Jimi. Thank you for everything!

Hendrix was/is a force of nature. Zappa a genius. Ya can't stop those trains. 🎸🎼

Jimi was a persona as well as an innovative artist. He demanded to be seen as well as heard. He would’ve been huge on social media, especially a visual platform like Instagram.

I totally agree. Musicianship and talent are going unseen and unappreciated

When I graduated from high school in 1981, I was the Band President, Assistant Drum Captain, was the first full-time percussionist in the jazz band, and in the first competition Drum Corps. All of my fellow band mates had lessons. Every single one! I cannot fathom the sacrifice my middle-class, Kennedy Catholic, parents had to make for eight kids who all had to play an instrument (up until 8th grade. By that time, even church was an option). As luck and blessing would have it, they, too, were musicians. Often times it is a matter of family genes. Fortunately, one of my siblings is, as another musician friend put it, "Rock and Roll Royalty". My mother said it best when I was beginning piano lessons; "You will not make a lot of money as a musician, but it will enrich your life immensely".

I’ve always thought Jimi Hendrix was dramatically underestimated as both a songwriter and a lyricist (‘footprints dressed in red…’, 'her fiery green gown sneers at the grassy ground...' ). His musicianship takes centre stage for obvious reasons but his big, loose virtuosity is almost always happening in the context of really superb songs (Crosstown Traffic, Foxy Lady, Bold as Love, etc.) I have the same feeling about Chet Atkins: a kind of' songwriters virtuoso'. There’s always a hook. Always something compelling-even… commercial-in the rhythm, the melody… I guess I think that when musicianship is beautifully integrated into compelling musicality in songwriting that’s when it works. So on that logic, there's still a place for a modern day Hendrix (as long as they're not technically good in a way that is remote from compelling musicality). On the other hand, it feels like the age of the instrument is somehow over. I have a little song I wrote about my wife and I called 'The people we aren' t'. It has some lines in the second verse that I like: The people we aren't keep reminding me the 1960s was a long, long time ago and you can't hitch-hike anymoe-- no you won't get very far with a hand written poem and an old guitar...

Rick, to be known you have to compose something that strikes a chord with people first, then you can take them in an odyssey with your musicianship. I see a lot of players displaying great chops on KZfaq but not much composition that'll stand the test of time.

Spot on Rick. 1982 MTV had a devastating effect on the music industry, effectively shifting focus from talent to Bikini dancing and nudity, and in the process can’t but blame also musicians citing Carlos Santana who degenerated into a mediocre guitar player once thought would influence the music industry. Great piece Rick.

You're not missing anything Rick! Growing up we were immersed in music and musicians. I was two years old when I first heard Doris Day. Growing up in the late 50s and 60s was exhilarating to say the least. It's so different now.

Frank Zappa often said the same about the industry in the 80’s!! Theres an interview where he talks about how even though executives in the 60s and 70s were out of touch with youth and new music, they still *took the risks* and signed artists who were new and experimental. But once the *generation* of the 60s and 70s were in power in the industry, their tastes reflected the “music = a commercial product” model, and had they favored sterile and monochromatic, easily marketable pop music over better music.

To me, the big difference is rhythm sections. You mention the many virtuousi, but the loss of human rhythm sections is what guts the music and strips the importance of musicians.

People just aren't blown away by music today like they used to be. There is so much of it and none of it is very impressive, even if it might be good. I'm reminded of a quote from Eddie and the Cruisers. "If I came out to the club and heard you play, it would be nice, and I would enjoy it. Then I would go home and forget all about it."

I think you're spot on. Growing up in the 80s and 90s I had an incredible interest in music that I don't see today. I would put the record on, with headphone, in the leaving room, while my parents watched tv, and I just stared at the record player or read the album cover. Hopefully it had the lyrics and photos of the band. Now, in my family, I don't see anyone patiently actively listening to music unless it's on. No active searching for new music unless it is being spoon-fed.

Jimi Hendrix wasn't just a guitar player though. If you'll forgive my pun, he was an experience. He was a songwriter, and a performer with attitude and flare. I can see him being huge on social media if he came along today and people would want to go to his shows to see him live.

Jimi is still famous among musicians. All guitar players aspire to play like Jimi. His music and playing was pure style. What keeps all past musicians famous is media such as ads, movies, etc. I can listen to Hendrix all day and night and needless to say I grew up listening to all the greats. They will never die in my book.

You could have used the whole video just listing the greats, I was almost in tears. I get it. 👍

Late to the party. I heard you on Mike Rowe's podcast from a while ago and started through your videos. I love this content so much. I've been watching a bunch. I loved how you mentioned Joe Zawinul at the beginning, he played with my favorite saxophonist Cannonball Adderley and probably wrote his best songs. You also mentioned Wayne Shorter (RIP) who was a huge influence on me as well. I think I'm going to be a regular watcher here.

When I look at Hendrix, it's his unique sound, inventiveness and creative ability. While I'm optimistic by nature, I'd have to believe someone one with THAT much talent and energy would herald success over the walls of the corporate music industry no matter what they said. Some people are THAT GOOD that they just can't be ignored. He was one of them.

Artists like Jimi made such an impact because the listeners of the day had very limited media options to absorb. There is so much media today that even the greatest artists will only ever be niche.

Cool video and I agree. I've been saying the band members back then had a different appreciation for music. Many of them were classically trained had a completely different appreciation for their art then nowadays. There are still musicians like that but it's definitely not common like it once was.

The thing with Jimi is that he earnt the right to play what he did He could play anything & then he did his own music, it’s no wonder it is mind blowing in a league of its own 👍 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

I think all those great musicians have left a tremendous legacy. I've been playing guitar for 56 years and when I go on You Tube and see these amazing young and very young players belt out a solo from my era and later that I can never hope to compete with I'm truly blown away by their talent. The problem today is modern music for the most part just doesn't feature great guitar work. When I see these kids I'm very hopeful that this youngest generation will somehow prevail and that guitar will return to it's former glory.

I've been listening to Stevie Ray Vaughn the last few weeks. Each album has a short interview (SRV Speaks), in which he answers a question about music. In one he talks about how Jimi Hendrix went places that no one else did. When a great player talks about another great player, it says a lot. I think Jimi would stand out in any era, because he would make his own path, regardless of the musical landscape.

I'm 68 and certainly happy to have grown up "musically" in the 70s. When Hendrix came around he was so groundbreakingly different and he brought something to the world that had never been imagined by anyone. If someone appeared today with that kind of innovation, style and vision.....who knows, he might be a star even in this environment. But I think you will always need strong compositions in addition to the chops. And Jimi ( also all the other guys you have mentioned) had that.

Great video Rick.

I couldn't agree more. In those days, fans listened to albums of their favorite groups over and over and got to know them intimately. It seems now, that listeners barely get through a complete song by a group before moving on to another song by another artist. All of those groups you mentioned I remember well, but mainly for their albums rather than just a song.

This is something I noticed in my own music, I myself sometimes write simple tracks that blow up dysproportionately more compared to other tracks, still composed by me, where I put way more effort, passion and soul instead. I think people still love music deeply, but their appreciation for it comes from so many reasons that have nothing to do with skill. Talent and skill are still valued but they're low on the totem pole, it seems.

I had Al Dimeola’s Elegant Gypsy when I was 17. That was guitar gold

When I came up in the 60s and 70s, from seventh grade on and sometimes from sixth grade on. everybody in my schools, either took band, jazz band, guitar, piano and chorus. But not just from junior high on it was kindergarten on to junior high school to 12th grade in high school. everyone took some kind of music class. And everybody could read music. I was one of the kids always in my school that passed the music memory test and got to go down to the Phoenix symphony every year, and watch a concert for free. Music and all the arts was part of our life in those days. Shop classes homec, PE classes were all required from. Now they’ve taken all that away. I really believe that’s why these younger generations have so many problems and are so soft.

I think that your videos are a good reference to learn about music and musicians . Not only are you teaching music but also its history. These videos will indeed help the next generations to develop good taste for the real music that stands the test of time. Thank you Rick

we have to acknowledge that Hendrix had great charisma. It was his playing + his energy that made him unique. A lot of young folks nowadays lack that! People nowadays just wanna "blend in" !

As a nearly retired piano technician I recall that I saw 40 years ago scores by Bach, Van Beethoven etc. on the music shelf of my customers, now I see at best simple repetitive stuff by Eynaudi etc. or super easy arrangements of Disney songs on their piano's.

So right Rick:) great vid

Have to agree with Rick. I've been saying this for at least a decade now. Modern musicians are known, but only to other musicians. If you ask the people to name someone who is currently making music, most couldn't name very many unless they've been around for a couple decades. People only know performers and singers. Everyone wants to sing, no one wants to write a song.

There were also thousands of talented guys back then who we know nothing about. It wasn't just talent then and it's the same way now. Jimi Hendrix, as good as he was, still needed marketing and management.

In modern music, most songs have only a single instrument for the backing track. And that is a drum machine. Thankfully there are still bands like The Warning that give me hope.

Even showing me the hammer ons on the G Major Scale in your beginner video inspired me to pick up my guitar 🎸 again. I learned from Mark Abrahamian from Starship With Mickey Thomas. I sing 🎤 now yet you’re presentation and reverence for the music reminds me that we make the offering of music from the soul..which feeds and nourishes us. As Delbert Bump (A Jazz Teacher from Solono College) said:It’s Conflict/Resolution.. We resolve the note.. Together..

He might not be “famous “ today….but he was truly a “ground breaker” for HIS time. The reason I, and sooo many others play guitar til this day!

Jimi has so much charisma and swagger in stage. Most young people I've seen react to his live performances on KZfaq are blown away. He also had a unique style of dressing that nobody else really had and a swagger. Jimi would get noticed plenty I believe. ✌

This reminds me of what I heard Joe Walsh say on an episode of "Live from Daryl's House." He noted that record stores, record sales, etc. are all gone, and there's no money in the music industry anymore. The ability to download music for free on the internet killed all of that. It might seem counterintuitive, that getting the money out of music, and no longer having musicians "run" by the money men, would stifle popular music instead of freeing artists up, but it actually makes perfect sense when you think about it: when there was real money to be made, studios would take chances on promising up and comers, and even if the deals weren't always as beneficial to the artists as they should have been, the artists could still get rich and famous. With there no longer being the potential for profit in music, studios have retreated to a "play it safe" attitude, and as Joe Walsh said in that interview, now make music by recipe. This is why the majority of top forty hits from the past couple of decades have been written by _two_ men: Lukasz Gottwald and Max Martin. Studios know these guys can hand off a tune to Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, or Katy Perry, and it's a safe, reliable bet. They're not going to follow the old model that produced all the great bands of the sixties through the eighties, because it's too risky in current business climate.

Jimi was writing for the human, for the soul and that’s the music that really timeless and stays forever. The rest of the filling from every decade will eventually fade out and only the greats continue to stand.

Hendrix was not only a very good player, he belonged to the kind of musicians who break new ground. He tried outstanding new things on the guitar ( techniques, sounds and songwriting). Many of his songs sound very fresh and modern even after many decades and thats why he was ahead of his time. If a guy like Hendrix started today I am pretty sure he would be as innovative and style-defining as he was back then. Maybe he would use modern multi- effects, electronic sounds, loopers in a novel way on his guitar and usher a new era with an unique style. Who knows? Never underestimate the creativity of such exceptional talents.

As a guitar teacher I realized the difference between now and then. When I wanted to play guitar, no one had to show me what was so cool about it. Or more accurately the people that played the thing.

Jimi would still be huge, relevant and a star if he appeared and came out today because he wasnt just a great player but he was a great showman/ performer. He was mesmerising to watch.

I think it's important that we take into consideration his style of playing and that as long as you put your name on the band you're making, people would recognize you better. Hendrix has a very unique style of playing and he goes between rhythm and lead a lot. Making songs like Little Wing , Bold as Love, Voodoo child, he made so many songs and sounds with just a handful of pedals, it's crazy to think about it. I think Hendrix in this era would stand his ground and be famous still, not to mention you don't see many people with his style or even performing so greatly, heck he burned a guitar and entertained people not only in music but in sight, imagine someone playing with their teeth too? Who wouldn't want to see that? Like John Mayer, Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King you can tell who plays based on their signature sound too and style of playing, Hendrix has that too and his ability to write music was unique too. That's my take on why Hendrix would be big in today's era.

[Pre-top 40] Radio played a huge role during the time you're talking about Rick. You could tune in to a radio station and hear ALL kinds of music from multiple genres and DJ's introduced new bands/music all the time. College radio stations sometimes took it to even greater levels, playing obscure music one wouldn't otherwise ever get to hear. And people bought music, albums mostly, and shared them with friends ~ "You have to hear this new album by...". This was common place. I now stream radio stations looking for something interesting to listen to and occasionaly find a gem or two. There's still great music being made, I'm just not sure if we will ever see the same kind of response we once did on a grand scale. The solo artists you describe might be a thing of the past and only musicians and music lovers who appreciate the new artist with his or her own twist-on-a theme will carry the torch. A friend of mine who taught guitar in Manhattan for many years recently said ~ "Guitar is the new accordion". I laughed. But I also cringed.

ALL of😮 the musicians you mentioned at the beginning are my heroes! Just as an example, Alan Holdsworth.. what an incredible guitarist. (I have the vinyl where he played with Tony Williams) These guys just blew me away, I was in awe of them.

Jimi was a Genius and would have been that at any time. Of course Jimi would play different today. But he was not only the best guitar player, he made genius music and songs, that was just mind breaking.

Do not think for a minute that Jimi would not be the revolutionary force of nature he was! Jimi was amazing, he singlehandedly made every other guitarist of his time re-evaluate their craft and up their game to a new level (Jeff Beck's words). I have not heard that compliment given to any other musician. Jimi would be a force of nature in any era of music. This same phenomenon happened again in the 80s with Stevie. His playing reinvigorated the Blues community and got the roots growing, producing and thriving through many genres of music, he brought Clapton back to the blues. There are certain people who just cannot be ignored and demand our attention. I can't wait for the next music renaissance; may we all be here to welcome it.