Winterland Ballroom Run

Lore & Background

The Winterland Ballroom runs were characterized by a fluidity that defined Hendrix's approach to live music. Unlike static studio versions, these performances allowed for significant variation in length and intensity. The band would launch into tracks like "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)," turning the familiar riff into a vehicle for extended exploration. While the longest known live version of this song from Winterland is around 7–8 minutes, longer versions exist elsewhere—for instance, an approximately 15-minute rendition from the Fillmore East on January 1, 1970. Contrary to some claims, 'Voodoo Child (Slight Return)' was not performed on Hendrix's final 1970 European tour, and was notably absent from the Isle of Wight Festival on August 31, 1970. While *The Jimi Hendrix Concerts* does include a Winterland track—'Wild Thing' from October 12, 1968—the majority of Winterland recordings were released on other albums such as *Live at Winterland* and *The Jimi Hendrix Experience* box set. The energy was palpable, with the crowd witnessing a band that treated every night as an opportunity to redefine their material.

In Their Own Story

At Winterland, the performance of "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" became a staple event, varying wildly in duration from seven minutes to eighteen minutes depending on the night. The source notes that these specific recordings were released later on *The Jimi Hendrix Concerts* and other compilations, serving as a testament to the band's ability to hold an audience with sheer sonic force. In these moments, Hendrix would deliver the lyric in the voice of a voodoo priest while his guitar work exploded into full sound. The interplay between Redding on bass and Mitchell on drums provided a solid foundation for the improvisation, allowing the song to stretch and contract with the mood of the room.

Reader's Guide

For those studying the Evolution of Hendrix's live sets, the Winterland recordings offer a critical look at his setlist dynamics. The source explicitly lists these performances alongside other major venues like the Royal Albert Hall and Woodstock as key releases on *The Jimi Hendrix Concerts*. Fans seeking to understand the band's improvisational range should focus on how the "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" track was treated, often serving as a canvas for the group's most adventurous playing. The source confirms that many more recordings from this period have been issued, highlighting the sheer volume of material captured during these American tour stops.

Did You Know?

• Only one Winterland track, 'Wild Thing' from October 12, 1968, appears on *The Jimi Hendrix Concerts*; most Winterland recordings are on *Live at Winterland* and *The Jimi Hendrix Experience* box set.
• No known Winterland recording of 'Voodoo Child (Slight Return)' reaches 15 minutes; the longest live version from Winterland is around 7–8 minutes, though an approximately 15-minute version exists from the Fillmore East.
• 'Voodoo Child (Slight Return)' was not a staple of Hendrix's entire career—it was absent from his early shows (pre-1968) and was not performed on his final 1970 European tour, including at the Isle of Wight Festival on A
• Multiple live renditions from this era were released on later albums alongside those from Woodstock and the Fillmore East.