The Hendrix Experience

Ian Shirley previews a massive exhibition of Jimi Hendrix memorabilia

The Jimi Hendrix exhibition at the new Marquee Club in Leicester Square is the former collection of Bob Terry, who started collecting in 1967 after the Are You Experienced album blew his 14-year old mind.

Terry  spent the next 30 years buying anything related to Hendrix, but due to health reasons, he sold the collection to a group of American investors around 18 months ago. These investors are now offering the collection for sale through auction house Cooper Owen.

“I knew of Bob Terry because I have probably sold more Hendrix than anyone on the planet — of the good pieces and big discoveries,” says Ted Owen,  “so I was aware that he was out there. But I wasn’t aware that he was sitting on a collection like this!”

Owen estimates that the collection is worth in the region of £8 million. And what a collection! Among thousands of photographs there are hundreds of unseen images, including some that Terry shot four rows back when he saw Hendrix play live in 1969. Terry tried to buy the poster, handbill, used ticket, backstage pass and recording of as many Hendrix concerts as possible. He bought film footage, tapes of Hendrix interviews, hand-written lyrics, original album artwork and even the props used for the Electric Ladyland cover photo session.

He befriended Noel Redding and …

by Ian Shirley
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