Meeting Chas Chandler

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Lore & Background

By May 1966, Hendrix was playing the R&B circuit in New York City as a back-up guitarist, barely earning a living. His life changed at the Cafe Wha?, where Linda Keith, girlfriend of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, witnessed his performance. She recommended him to several industry contacts, but they failed to see his musical potential and rejected him. Keith then referred Hendrix to Chas Chandler, who had recently left The Animals and was looking to manage new artists. Chandler had a specific vision: he liked the Billy Roberts song 'Hey Joe' and believed he could create a hit single with the right artist. Impressed by Hendrix's live version of the song with his band Jimmy James and the Blue Flames, Chandler signed him to a management and production contract in London before Hendrix left for London. Michael Jeffery became involved as co-manager only after Hendrix arrived in London.

In Their Own Story

The pivotal moment occurred when Linda Keith brought Chas Chandler to see Hendrix perform. Chandler arrived at the club and watched Hendrix play 'Hey Joe.' The performance was so compelling that Chandler immediately saw the potential to create a hit. He did not hesitate; he signed Hendrix to a contract right then, securing his services alongside Michael Jeffery. The agreement was solidified with a handshake and a clear vision for the future. On September 24, 1966, just days after this meeting, Chandler brought Hendrix from New York to London. This move was immediate and decisive. Upon arrival in London, Chandler wasted no time recruiting Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell to form the Jimi Hendrix Experience. The trio rehearsed quickly, bonding over their shared interest in rhythm and blues, ready to enter the studio by late October.

Reader's Guide

To understand this turning point, one must look at the specific sequence of events starting with Linda Keith's intervention. She first tried Andrew Loog Oldham and Seymour Stein, but they rejected Hendrix. Her persistence led her to Chas Chandler, a man who knew exactly what he wanted: a hit version of 'Hey Joe.' The meeting was not a casual introduction; it was an audition that resulted in immediate employment. The source confirms that Chandler brought Hendrix to London on September 24, 1966, and signed him that same day. This date marks the end of Hendrix's time as a sideman and the beginning of his era as a frontman. The subsequent recruitment of Redding and Mitchell happened rapidly after this meeting, leading to the band's first recording session just weeks later at De Lane Lea Studios.

Did You Know?

• Chas Chandler signed Hendrix to a management contract specifically because he wanted to record the song 'Hey Joe'.
• Linda Keith initially recommended Hendrix to Andrew Loog Oldham and Seymour Stein, but they both rejected him.
• Hendrix signed a management contract solely with Chas Chandler in New York before leaving for London; Michael Jeffery joined later.
• Noel Redding was initially auditioned as a guitarist for the Jimi Hendrix Experience and agreed to switch to bass, rather than being chosen for his knowledge of blues progressions.
• Mitch Mitchell had recently been fired from Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames before joining the Experience.

The Catalyst: From Struggle to Stardom

Before achieving global fame, Jimi Hendrix faced significant financial instability while touring the R&B circuit as a backing guitarist in New York City. His trajectory changed dramatically after Linda Keith, then girlfriend of Keith Richards, witnessed his performance at the Cheetah Club and recognized his raw talent. Although initial attempts to secure representation through Andrew Loog Oldham and Seymour Stein failed, Keith's persistent advocacy led Hendrix to Chas Chandler. Chandler, a former bassist for The Animals who was transitioning into management, saw immediate potential in Hendrix's live rendition of 'Hey Joe.' Convinced he could craft a hit single with the right artist, Chandler signed Hendrix to a management and production contract alongside Michael Jeffery. This pivotal partnership resulted in Hendrix's relocation to London on September 24, 1966, marking the beginning of a new chapter that would soon redefine rock music.

Forging the Experience: Recruitment and Vision

Upon arriving in London, Chas Chandler immediately set about assembling a band specifically designed to showcase Jimi Hendrix's extraordinary guitar capabilities. He recruited Noel Redding after observing his impressive knowledge of blues progressions during an audition for The New Animals; Redding agreed to switch from guitar to bass for the new group. For the drum position, Chandler contacted Mitch Mitchell through mutual connections. Mitchell, who had recently been dismissed from Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames, joined forces with Hendrix and Redding after a rehearsal where they bonded over their shared love of rhythm and blues. By late October 1966, following a rejection by Decca Records, the newly formed Jimi Hendrix Experience secured a recording contract with Track, an innovative label established by The Who's managers Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp.

Studio Strategy: Production and Creative Control

The creation of *Are You Experienced* spanned five months, utilizing sixteen sessions across three London studios: De Lane Lea, CBS, and Olympic. Chandler frequently chose Olympic Studios for its superior acoustics and advanced technology, despite the limitation of four-track recording compared to American eight-track facilities. Due to a restricted budget, much of the pre-production work was conducted in the shared apartment of Chandler and Hendrix to minimize costs. Crucially, Chandler maintained strict creative control during these sessions, intentionally minimizing input from Mitchell and Redding. He believed that previous band experiences often ended in compromise where no one's true vision was realized. Consequently, he directed Redding's bass parts while ensuring Hendrix had his chord sequences and tempos prepared for the drummer, allowing the guitarist's unique artistic voice to remain uncompromised.

Chart Success and Enduring Legacy

Released in May 1967, *Are You Experienced* achieved immediate critical and commercial success, peaking at number two on British charts and staying there for thirty-three weeks. Its US release later that year reached number five on the Billboard Top LPs chart, remaining on the list for over two years. The album's impact was further solidified by its inclusion in the National Recording Registry in 2005 for its cultural significance. Decades later, it continues to be revered; *Rolling Stone* ranked it thirty-first among the greatest albums of all time in 2020. Songs like 'Purple Haze' and 'Hey Joe' were also individually honored on similar lists. Reuben Jackson of the Smithsonian Institution described the album as a landmark that altered musical syntax, comparing its revolutionary nature to James Joyce's *Ulysses*, cementing its status as a cornerstone of rock history.