The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Los Angeles Forum • April 26, 1969 (2xLP)

Just in time for Jimi Hendrix's 80th birthday, the complete live recording of The Jimi Hendrix Experience concert from the Forum in Los Angeles on April 26, 1969 will be released for the first time in November. The riveting performance by the original lineup, featuring Mitch Mitchell on drums and Noel Redding on bass, was recorded in front of a sold-out crowd.

After the overwhelming success of three studio albums , Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold As Love and Electric Ladyland, the Jimi Hendrix Experience was at the height of its international popularity in 1969.

This widespread public interest coincided with the construction of new arenas for sporting events, including the Forum in Inglewood, California. Designed by famed architect Charles Luckman, this multi-purpose arena opened in 1967 as the home of the Los Angeles Kings hockey team and the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team, but also served as a venue for music. Among the first concerts held here were Aretha Franklin in January 1968 and Cream's farewell tour with opening act Deep Purple in October of the same year. The Jimi Hendrix Experience was booked for April 26, 1969 with supporting bands Chicago Transit Authority (soon to be renamed Chicago) and Cat Mother & The All Night Newsboys.

The setlist of "Los Angeles Forum - April 26, 1969" includes many of Hendrix's hits as well as a few standouts. The opener, "Tax Free," is a cover of an instrumental by the Swedish band Hansson & Karlsson, with whom the Jimi Hendrix Experience had previously performed in Stockholm. The "Star Spangled Banner" is also already deranged by Hendrix, four months before his legendary Woodstock performance. And with "Sunshine Of Your Love" another cover is woven into "Voodoo Child" at the end of the set.

"Los Angeles Forum - April 26, 1969" was recorded at the time by Wally Heider and Bill Halverson and recently remixed by longtime Hendrix producer and engineer Eddie Kramer for maximum fidelity. It was produced by Janie Hendrix, Jimi Hendrix's sister, Eddie Kramer and John McDermott, who manages the Hendrix music catalog.