Posted on 07/30/2005 9:37:15 AM PDT by Rodney King
Jimi Hendrix pretended to be gay so he would be discharged from the army, according to claims in a biography that has used his military medical records.
The rock legend said he left the 101st Airborne Division aged 19 in 1962 after being injured on a parachute jump.
But Room Full of Mirrors by Charles R Cross says army records show he was discharged for "homosexual tendencies".
Mr Cross says Hendrix had a legendary appetite for women - he even had an affair with actress Brigitte Bardot.
But he had told a base psychiatrist at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, he had fallen in love with a fellow soldier, the book claims.
Mr Cross says the star enlisted in the US army to avoid being sent to jail after being arrested in stolen cars in his home town of Seattle.
He did not leave because of objections to the US role in Vietnam, but simply because he wanted to play music, according to the biography.
Hendrix avoided being sent to Vietnam and concentrated on music, becoming one of rock's most revered guitarists.
He became a star in 1966 with psychedelic rock hits such as Hey Joe and Purple Haze, and a legendary live performance.
Room Full of Mirrors is being published to mark the 35th anniversary of his death from a sleeping pill overdose in London in 1970.
Hendrix SUPPORTED the troops in Vietnam!
I never liked him. Any who went to his "concerts" wasted their money. He'd often show up so out of it on heroin that he had to be helped to the stage. Why people find that endearing is beyond me.
You're surprised? what did you think was in that closet, nothing but pantyhose?
Now that I know he has had homosexual tendencies, it´s no wonder at all! ;-)
He'd sure be disappointed in todays army. He probably served his would be comrades best with better music to listen to while smoking thier reefer.
According to the story, he did not have homosexual tendincies...he just said that to get out of the Army.
"Hero" of the drug culture.
Hmm. For some reason, at this point, I'm reminded of the great Arlo Guthrie song, "Alice's Restaurant."
My allusion was to the costume, not the foundation.
But to each his own. personally I prefer Leonard Skynard.
Oh, that went right over my head ;)
But to each his own. personally I prefer Leonard Skynard.
I think it's spelled "Lynyrd."
Wow, I wonder who it was I saw twice that put on such a masterful performance each time, it sure looked a lot like Hendrix and sounded like him. Funny I saw no one helping him on or off the stage. His repartee with the audience was funny and bright and sly in a very controlled fashion.
I think I spent a total of $20 for both concerts and I never spent a more worthwhile $20. Sorry if your experience was different, I treasure mine.
He used heroin, he probably was stoned at some, maybe many of his concerts. But even stoned he was extraordinary.
Even Eric Clapton conceded that Hendrix was better then he.
And it was his guitar skills that people found enduring or endearing. Not the fact that he used drugs. At least for reasonable people.
Lynyrd Skynyrd.
I'm 37 and wish I had the chance to see Hendrix. A legit legend and icon, no question about it.
I'm 37 and wish I had the chance to see Hendrix. A legit legend and icon, no question about it.
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