Machine Gun Solo

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Hendrix debuted "Machine Gun" in September 1969 on The Dick Cavett Show, backed by Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cox, and conga player Juma Sultan. This initial performance lasted only about two and a half minutes, making it the shortest known version, while later releases vary from ten to twenty minutes. At a performance in Berkeley, California, Hendrix introduced the track with a specific dedication: "I'd like to dedicate this song to soldiers fighting in Berkeley—you know what soldiers I'm talking about—and oh yeah, the soldiers fighting in Vietnam too... and dedicate [it] to other people that might be fighting wars too, but within themselves." With the Band of Gypsys, Hendrix's vocals were accompanied by drummer Buddy Miles, creating a layered soundscape where percussive riffs combine with heavy feedback.

In Their Own Story

The song's recording history is marked by significant alterations. A sparse studio version was recorded at The Hit Factory in New York on August 29, 1969, during sessions for Hendrix's intended fourth album. This take, originally about 12:56 in length, was heavily edited by Alan Douglas and released as a 7:30 track on the 1975 posthumous album Midnight Lightning. Fans received this version poorly because Douglas overdubbed missing drum, bass, and guitar parts with session musicians due to poor recording quality or tape damage. Further versions were recorded at The Record Plant in November 1969. Although the estate regained control in 1995 and re-released authentic recordings of other songs, an unaltered studio version of "Machine Gun" has yet to be issued.

Reader's Guide

To understand the sound of "Machine Gun," one must look at its specific effects chain: most recordings utilize a wah-wah pedal, an Arbiter Fuzz Face, a Univibe pedal, and an Octavia pedal. The sparse lyrics differ in every performance, reflecting the point of view of a soldier fighting in war. For collectors, multiple live recordings exist since no proper studio recording was realized. Two additional performances appear on the expanded 1999 album Live at the Fillmore East, while a fourth is included on Machine Gun: The Fillmore East First Show (2016). Later performances featuring Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox are found on Live at Berkeley (2003) and Blue Wild Angel: Live at the Isle of Wight (2002).

Did You Know?

• The shortest known performance of the song was on The Dick Cavett Show in September 1969, lasting only about two and a half minutes.
• Alan Douglas edited the August 29, 1969 studio recording down from its actual length of 12:56 to 7:30 for the 1975 album Midnight Lightning.
• Hendrix dedicated the song not only to soldiers in Vietnam but also to people "fighting wars... within themselves."
• An unaltered studio version of "Machine Gun" has never been officially issued, despite the estate gaining control of recordings in 1995.
• The Isley Brothers recorded a medley combining "Ohio" and "Machine Gun" for their 1971 album Givin' It Back.