In conjunction with a collection of documents salvaged by the former personal assistant to Jimi Hendrix’s manager, four previously unheard tapes will be auctioned in London on November 15th – 54 years after the rock legend's passing. The 1968 demos are believed to be renditions of 'Up From The Skies', 'Ain't No Telling', 'Little Miss Lover', and 'Stone Free', totaling approximately seven minutes in length. According to The Guardian, Mark Hochman, a music consultant for auctioneer Propstore, noted that these demos sound and are longer than their more familiar counterparts.
Prospective bidders should be prepared to spend a substantial amount, as each demo is anticipated to sell for hundreds of thousands of euros. However, the new owner will not be able to release them to the public or host listening events; any potential use will need to be negotiated with the Hendrix estate, limiting their enjoyment to private listening at home. Hochman remarked that the buyer would gain 'the prestige of owning exclusive Jimi Hendrix songs that only they can listen to.'
These 1978 recordings are part of a broader auction of Hendrix memorabilia, sold by Patricia “Trixie” Sullivan, who worked for Hendrix’s manager Mike Jeffrey during the late 1960s and early 1970s. In addition to the tapes, bidders can vie for items such as payslips, dry-cleaning bills for stage costumes, and tour itineraries – including a note from Hendrix’s record label informing him of his eviction from Ringo Starr’s London flat!
Reflecting on the auction's significance, Hochman stated, 'It's an extraordinary collection that not only offers insight into Jimi Hendrix's personal life but also takes you back to a crucial era in music history.' Widely regarded as the greatest guitarist in pop music and undeniably one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, with hits like 'Purple Haze', 'Foxy Lady', and 'All Along The Watchtower', Hendrix tragically died in 1970 at the age of 27.
The auction on November 15th will be live-streamed.
