What Happened to Jimi Hendrix? How Did Jimi Hendrix Die? Jimi Hendrix Cause of Death
by Maivizhi A | Updated Jun 24, 2023
What Happened to Jimi Hendrix?
Jimi Hendrix, was an iconic American musician and one of the most influential guitarists in the history of rock music, and he was born on November 27, 1942. Unfortunately, his life was tragically cut short. On September 18, 1970, Hendrix was found unconscious in the London flat of his girlfriend, Monika Dannemann. Despite efforts to revive him, he was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. He was only 27 years old at the time of death.
The exact circumstances surrounding Hendrix's death remain somewhat controversial and have been the subject of speculation over the years. The official cause of death was reported as asphyxia due to vomit inhalation resulting from barbiturate intoxication. It was believed that Hendrix had taken nine sleeping pills, which contributed to his death. There were also traces of alcohol in his system.
Hendrix's passing marked the end of a remarkable career that had spanned only a few years but had a profound impact on the world of music. His innovative guitar playing, mesmerising stage presence, and groundbreaking compositions revolutionized rock music and inspired countless musicians.
Despite his untimely death, Jimi Hendrix's musical legacy lives on. His recordings continue to captivate audiences, and his influence can still be felt in the work of contemporary artists. Hendrix's innovative guitar techniques and genre-defying approach remain an enduring testament to his immense talent and artistic vision.
How did Jimi Hendrix Die?
At the young age of 27, Jimi Hendrix passed away on September 18, 1970. His then-girlfriend Monika Dannemann discovered him unconscious but still breathing in her apartment at the Samarkand Hotel in Notting Hill, London. An ambulance was summoned, and Hendrix was pronounced dead at St Mary Abbots Hospital.
According to the post-mortem examination, Hendrix's cause of death was asphyxia due to barbiturate intoxication, as he tragically choked on his own vomit. Dannemann disclosed that Hendrix had consumed nine of her prescribed sleeping tablets, a significantly higher dosage than the recommended half tablet.
The existence of inconsistencies in the official version of events has sparked conspiracy theories, but despite a lengthy investigation by Scotland Yard in the early 1990s, no conclusive evidence was found, and the case was not pursued further.
Jimi Hendrix Cause of Death
Hendrix had been in poor health for several days leading up to his death, largely due to exhaustion from overwork, chronic sleep deprivation, and a presumed flu-like illness. His personal relationships had also caused insecurity, while disillusionment with the music industry added to his frustration.
While the specific details of his final hours and demise remain disputed, Hendrix spent a significant portion of his last day with Monika Dannemann. In the morning of September 18, Dannemann discovered Hendrix unresponsive in her apartment at the Samarkand Hotel, located at 22 Lansdowne Crescent, Notting Hill. She promptly called for an ambulance at 11:18 a.m., and Hendrix was transported to St Mary Abbots Hospital, where resuscitation efforts were made. Unfortunately, he was declared dead at 12:45 p.m.
According to the post-mortem examination, Hendrix had choked on his own vomit and died of asphyxia while under the influence of barbiturates. During the inquest, the coroner recorded an open verdict as there was no evidence of suicide and insufficient information to determine the precise circumstances. Dannemann claimed that Hendrix had ingested nine of her prescribed Vesparax sleeping tablets, exceeding the recommended dosage by 18 times.
Hendrix was laid to rest on October 1, 1970, at Greenwood Cemetery in Renton, Washington. In 1992, his former girlfriend Kathy Etchingham requested British authorities to reopen the investigation into his death. Scotland Yard conducted a subsequent inquiry but failed to reach a definitive conclusion, ultimately deciding against further investigation in 1993.
Jimi Hendrix Kids
Jimi Hendrix had multiple known relationships, starting with a brief fling with Betty Jean Morgan during his teenage years, followed by dating Lithofayne Pridgon, Kathy Etchingham, and Monika Dannemann. He never married, and the question of whether he had children is somewhat complicated. While there is no conclusive paternity test confirming Jimi's parenthood, it is widely believed that he had a daughter and a son.
One alleged child is Tamika Laurice James Hendrix, born to Diana Carpenter on February 11, 1967, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She claims to be Hendrix's oldest daughter. Another alleged child is James Daniel Sundquist, born on October 5, 1969, in Stockholm, Sweden, to Eva Sundquist. He claims to be Hendrix's son. However, neither of them received any share of Hendrix's estate after his death, as the rights to mastered and unmastered tapes, copyrights, and image rights were inherited by Jimi's father, Al.
There have been disputes regarding the legitimacy of these claims. James Sundquist, a Swedish singer, sued Hendrix's estate in 1994, asserting his status as Hendrix's son, which had been legally recognized by Swedish courts in 1975. Tamika Hendrix, a woman alleged to be Hendrix's illegitimate child, has not undergone a paternity test, and her mother's attempt to secure a portion of the inheritance was denied in 1972.
These alleged pregnancies resulted from encounters with women Hendrix met while touring, as he never married or came close to it during his short life. However, some women depicted in biopics are believed to have been significant in his life.
It remains a subject of contention whether Jimi Hendrix had children. While there are claims from individuals asserting to be his daughter and son, the veracity of these claims is disputed, and no definitive paternity tests have been conducted.
How Tall was Jimi Hendrix?
Jimi Hendrix, the American singer and guitarist, had a recorded height of 5 feet 10 inches (177.8 cm). In the biography titled 'Room Full of Mirrors,' the author mentions that when Jimi entered the military service, he was documented as weighing 155 pounds and standing at a height of five feet ten inches. It is worth noting that due to his distinctive afro hairstyle, many people mistakenly perceived him to be taller than his actual height.
Furthermore, it is interesting to mention that Jimi had his height listed as 5 feet 11 inches on his passport. This discrepancy in the recorded height could be attributed to various factors, such as self-perception, rounding up, or variations in measurement techniques. Despite the discrepancy, the generally accepted and widely recognized height for Jimi Hendrix is 5 feet 10 inches (177.8 cm).
Who were Jimi Hendrix Parents?
Jimi Hendrix was an African American musician, songwriter, and guitarist widely regarded as one of the most original electric guitarists of all time. He seamlessly blended genres such as blues, hard rock, modern jazz, and soul to create his distinctive and unmistakable sound. In addition to his prowess as a guitarist, Hendrix was also a gifted songwriter.
Jimi Hendrix, originally named Johnny Allen Hendrix, was born in Seattle, Washington, on November 27, 1942. He was the son of Al Hendrix and Lucille Jeter. His father, Al Hendrix, was a talented jazz dancer who held various jobs, including landscape gardening, and took on much of the responsibility for raising Jimi and his brother, Leon.
Their grandmother and various family friends also played a significant role in their upbringing. This was due to the erratic behavior of Lucille, who struggled with excessive drinking and would often disappear for extended periods of time. In 1946, Al Hendrix changed his son's name to James Marshall Hendrix. After Al and Lucille divorced in 1951, Al won custody of the boys and did his best to provide discipline and care for them. However, both Jimi and his brother idolized their absent mother.
What Happened to Jimi Hendrix - FAQs
Jimi Hendrix passed away on September 18, 1970, at the age of 27. He was found unconscious in his girlfriend's London flat and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Jimi Hendrix was discovered unconscious in the London flat of his girlfriend, Monika Dannemann.
There have been some controversies and conspiracy theories surrounding Jimi Hendrix's death. Some people have questioned the official version of events and speculated about foul play or alternative explanations.
While there are claims from individuals asserting to be Jimi Hendrix's children, there is no definitive confirmation. Two alleged children are Tamika Laurice James Hendrix and James Daniel Sundquist, born to different women. However, these claims have been disputed, and no paternity tests have been conducted.
Jimi Hendrix was recorded to be 5 feet 10 inches (177.8 cm) tall. Although there are discrepancies in some records, this is the generally accepted and widely recognized height for him.