jimi hendrix: the life of a legend
TRANSCRIPT
Teacher’s Guide to Accompany The Story Trunk:
Jimi Hendrix: The Life of a Legend
Made possible with generous support from Qwest, Wells Fargo and 4 Culture
Table of Contents JimiHendrix:TheLifeofaLegend 1
ObjectivesforthisStoryTrunk 1
RelevantEALRS&CBA 2
Objects 4
BiographicalInformation 5
Introductory Activity 7
Activity 1 8
JimiHendrixMusicalInfluences 9
Woodstock,the“Counterculture”andJimiHendrix
Activity 2 10
Activity 3: Dig Deep CBA 11
Biography
Activity 4: Write a Biography of Someone Who Interests You 12
Conclusion
Activity 5: Write Your Own Biography 15
RecommendedResources
Books and Websites 15
1
Teacher’s Guide to Accompany The Story Trunk:
Jimi Hendrix: The Life of a Legend
ManypeopleknowthemusicofJimiHendrixandhaveheardatleastafewofhisiconicsongs.Hisversionsof“AllalongtheWatchtower,”and“PurpleHaze”arewovenintothefabricofAmericanpopculture.However,notmanypeopleknowthehistoryofhislife.JimiHendrixdidnotstartasalegendaryguitarist,oronlyplaythesongsthatmadehimfamousduringhiscareer.EvenpeoplelivinginthisareamaynotrealizethatJimigrewupinSeattle’sCentralDistrictandattendedGarfieldHighSchool.HeperformedinmanyvenuesonJacksonStreet
inSeattle.HetouredwithBluesandRhythm&BluesbandsintheSouthlongbeforebecomingfamous.Heenrolledinthemilitaryandstruggledtofindhimselflikemostyoungpeopledo.
SohowmuchdowereallyknowaboutJimiHendrix?ThiscurriculumisintendedtoteachhighschoolstudentsaboutJimi’slifeandhowheinfluencedourpastandcurrentmusicscenes.Ofequalimportance,itisintendedtoinspireallofus,nomatterwhatourinterestsorlifestory,astheylearnaboutwhatoneordinarySeattlekidwasabletoaccomplishwithadream,determinationandaguitar.
Thecurriculumisdesignedtoprovideaweek’sworthoflessonsforyourclassroom.Youarewelcometochoosetheactivitiesthataremostsuitedtoyourneedsorteachtheunitasawhole.
Objectives for this Story Trunk: 1. StudentswillexaminethelifeandworkoflegendaryguitaristandSeattlenative,JimiHendrix.
2. StudentswillbeintroducedtothemusicofJimiHendrixandhaveanopportunitytolistento andexaminehismusicalinfluences.
3. Studentswill“digdeep”byutilizingaDigDeepCBAtoexaminematerialscontainedin thetrunk.
4. Studentswillreviewtheconceptofbiographyandlearnhowtoresearchandwriteone.
5. Studentswilluseresearchskillsandmethodstowriteabiographyofapersonwhointerests themorsomeonewhohasinfluencedtheirlife.
2
Relevant EALRS & CBAEALRs addressed in Activity 1 (page 9): Grade Level 9
EALR 5. Social studies skillsThestudentunderstandsandappliesreasoningskillstoconduct research,deliberate,form,andevaluatepositionsthroughtheprocessesofreading,writing, andcommunicating.Component 5.1Usescriticalreasoningskillstoanalyzeandevaluatepositions.
Grade Level 10
EALR 1. CommunicationThestudentuseslisteningandobservationskillsandstrategiestogain understanding.Components 1.1 Useslisteningandobservationskillsandstrategiestofocusattentionandinterpretinformation.
1.2 Understands,analyzes,synthesizes,orevaluatesinformationfromavarietyofsources.
EALRs addressed in Activity 3 (page 11): Grade Level 12
EALR 4. HistoryThestudentunderstandsandappliesknowledgeofhistoricalthinking,chronology, eras,turningpoints,majorideas,individuals,andthemesinlocal,WashingtonState,tribal, UnitedStates,andworldhistoryinordertoevaluatehowhistoryshapesthepresentandfuture.Component 4.1Understandshistoricalchronology.ThiscomponentisaddressedingradesK-12. 4.2Understandsandanalyzescausalfactorsthathaveshapedmajoreventsinhistory. 4.3Understandsthattherearemultipleperspectivesandinterpretationsofhistoricalevents.
EALR 5. Social Studies skillsThestudentunderstandsandappliesreasoningskillstoconduct research,deliberate,form,andevaluatepositionsthroughtheprocessesofreading,writing, andcommunicating.Components 5.1Usescriticalreasoningskillstoanalyzeandevaluatepositions. 5.2Usesinquiry-basedresearch. 5.4Createsaproductthatusessocialstudiescontenttosupportathesisandpresentstheproduct inanappropriatemannertoameaningfulaudience.
Grade Level 10
EALR 1. WritingThestudentunderstandsandusesawritingprocess.EALR 3. WritingThestudentwritesclearlyandeffectively.Components 3.1 Developsideasandorganizeswriting. 3.2 Usesappropriatestyle. 3.3 Knowsandapplieswritingconventionsappropriateforthegradelevel.
EALR 1. CommunicationThestudentuseslisteningandobservationskillsandstrategiestogain understanding.Components 1.1Useslisteningandobservationskillsandstrategiestofocusattentionandinterpretinformation. 1.2Understands,analyzes,synthesizes,orevaluatesinformationfromavarietyofsources.
3
EALRs addressed in Activity 4: Write Your Own Biography (page 12)Grade Level 12
EALR 4. HistoryThestudentunderstandsandappliesknowledgeofhistoricalthinking,chronology, eras,turningpoints,majorideas,individuals,andthemesinlocal,WashingtonState,tribal, UnitedStates,andworldhistoryinordertoevaluatehowhistoryshapesthepresentandfuture.Components 4.1Understandshistoricalchronology.ThiscomponentisaddressedingradesK-12. 4.3Understandsthattherearemultipleperspectivesandinterpretationsofhistoricalevents.
EALR 5. Social Studies skillsThestudentunderstandsandappliesreasoningskillstoconduct research,deliberate,form,andevaluatepositionsthroughtheprocessesofreading,writing, andcommunicating.Components 5.1Usescriticalreasoningskillstoanalyzeandevaluatepositions. 5.2Usesinquiry-basedresearch. 5.4Createsaproductthatusessocialstudiescontenttosupportathesisandpresentstheproduct inanappropriatemannertoameaningfulaudience.
Grade Level 10
EALR 1. WritingThestudentunderstandsandusesawritingprocess.EALR 3. WritingThestudentwritesinavarietyofformsfordifferentaudiencesandpurposes.Components 2.2.Writesfordifferentpurposes.
EALR 3. WritingThestudentwritesclearlyandeffectively.Components 3.1 Developsideasandorganizeswriting. 3.2 Usesappropriatestyle. 3.3 Knowsandapplieswritingconventionsappropriateforthegradelevel.
EALR 2. ReadingThestudentunderstandsthemeaningofwhatisread.Components 2.1.Demonstrateevidenceofreadingcomprehension. 2.2.Understandandapplyknowledgeoftextcomponentstocomprehendtext. 2.3.Expandcomprehensionbyanalyzing,interpreting,andsynthesizinginformationandideasin literaryandinformationaltext. 2.4.Thinkcriticallyandanalyzeauthor’suseoflanguage,style,purpose,andperspectiveinliterary andinformationaltext.
EALR 3. ReadingThestudentreadsdifferentmaterialsforavarietyofpurposes.Components 3.1.Readtolearnnewinformation. 3.2.Readtoperformatask.
EALR 1. CommunicationThestudentuseslisteningandobservationskillsandstrategiestogain understanding.Components 1.1.Useslisteningandobservationskillsandstrategiestofocusattentionandinterpret information. 1.2.Understands,analyzes,synthesizes,orevaluatesinformationfromavarietyofsources.
4
Objects 1. Purple vest Hendrixworevestslikethisonewhenhewasfamous.AfterhemovedtoLondon,hispersonal stylewashighlightedbyhisbrightlycoloredclothing.Hehadmanyoftheseclothesmade especiallyforhim.
2. Leather vest Hendrixlikedtowearleatherandsuede.Healsoworealotoffringedclothingandbeadsto rememberhisNativeAmericanheritage.
3. Red bandana Hendrixworebandanaslikethisonewhichwerepopularinthe1960s.
4. Colorful scarf Hendrixworemanyscarveslikethisonetoaccessorizehisoriginaloutfits.Sometimeshewore themtiedtohispantlegsaswellasaroundhisneckandonhishead.
5. Leather belt Hendrixworebeltslikethistoaccentuatehispersonalstyle.Hewasverythin,witha26”waist, andbeltswerefashionableaswellasnecessary.
6. Screaming Eagles flag, pin and patch MemorabiliafromhisdaysintheAirForcecommemoratethegrouphetrainedwithforashort time.
7. The Illustrated Experience Manyartifactssuchascolorreproductionsofhisletters,drawingsandlyricsarecontainedin foldersthroughoutthebook.
5
Biographical InformationJimiHendrixJimiHendrixwasbornJohnnyAllenHendrixonNovember27,1942,inSeattletoLucille(Jeter)HendrixandJames“Al”Hendrix.HewaslaterrenamedJamesMarshallbyhis
fatherandwentbythenicknameJimmygrowingup.YoungJimmy(ashewasreferredtoatthetime)tookaninterestinmusic,playingguitaranddrawinginfluencefromvirtuallyeverymajorartistatthetime,includingB.B.King,MuddyWaters,Howlin’Wolf,BuddyHolly,andRobertJohnson.Entirelyself-taught,Jimmy’sinabilitytoreadmusicmadehimconcentrateevenharderonthemusicheheard.
Inthesummerof1958,AlpurchasedJimmyafive-dollar,second-handacousticguitarfromoneofhisfriends.Shortlythereafter,Jimmyjoinedhisfirstband,TheVelvetones.Afterathree-monthstintwiththegroup,Jimmylefttopursuehisownmusicalinterests.Thefollowingsummer,AlpurchasedJimmyhisfirstelectricguitar,aSuproOzark1560S;JimiuseditwhenhejoinedTheRockingKings,hisnextband.
In1961,JimmylefthometoenlistintheUnitedStatesArmyandinNovember1962earnedtherighttowearthe“ScreamingEagles”patchforhisparatroopdivision.WhilestationedatFortCampbell,Kentucky,JimmyformedTheKingCasualswithbassistBillyCox.Afterbeingdischargedduetoaninjuryhereceivedduringaparachutejump,JimmybeganworkingasasessionguitaristunderthenameJimmyJames.Bytheendof1965,Jimmyhadplayedwithseveralmarqueeacts,includingIkeandTinaTurner,SamCooke,theIsleyBrothers,andLittleRichard.JimmypartedwayswithLittleRichardtoformhisownband,JimmyJamesandtheBlueFlames,sheddingtheroleofback-lineguitaristforthespotlightofleadguitar.
Throughoutthelatterhalfof1965,andintothefirstpartof1966,JimmyplayedtheroundsofsmallervenuesinGreenwichVillage,duringwhichtimehemetAnimals’bassistChasChandler.ChandlerwasimpressedwithJimmy’smusicandinSeptember1966hesignedHendrixtoanagreementthatwouldhavehimmovetoLondontoformanewband.
Switchinggearsfrombassplayertomanager,Chandler’sfirsttaskwastochangeHendrix’snameto“Jimi.”FeaturingdrummerMitchMitchellandbassistNoelRedding,thenewlyformedJimiHendrixExperiencequicklybecamethetalkofLondoninthefallof1966.
TheExperience’sfirstsingle,“HeyJoe,”spenttenweeksontheUKcharts,toppingoutatspotNo.6inearly1967.Thedebutsinglewasquicklyfollowedbythereleaseofafull-lengthalbum“AreYouExperienced,”apsychedelicmusicalcompilationfeaturingwhatwouldbecometheanthemsofageneration.“AreYouExperienced”hasremainedoneofthemostpopularrockalbumsofalltime,featuringtrackslike“PurpleHaze,”“TheWindCriesMary,”“FoxyLady,”“Fire,”and“AreYouExperienced.”
AlthoughHendrixexperiencedoverwhelmingsuccessinBritain,itwasn’tuntilhereturnedtoAmericainJune1967thatheignitedthecrowdattheMontereyInternationalPopFestivalwithhisincendiaryperformanceof“WildThing.”Literallyovernight,TheJimiHendrixExperiencebecameoneofmostpopularandhighestgrossingtouringactsintheworld.
Hendrixfollowed“AreYouExperienced”with“Axis:BoldAsLove.”By1968,Hendrixhadtakengreatercontroloverthedirectionofhismusic;hespentconsiderabletimeworkingtheconsolesinthestudio,witheachturnofaknoborflickoftheswitchbringingclaritytohisvision.
BackinAmerica,JimiHendrixbuilthisownrecordingstudio,ElectricLadyStudios.inNewYorkCity.Thenameofthisprojectbecamethebasisforhismostdemandingmusicalrelease,atwoLPcollection,“ElectricLadyland.”Throughout1968,thedemandsoftouringandstudioworktookitstollonthegroupandin1969TheExperiencedisbanded.
6
Thesummerof1969broughtemotionalandmusicalgrowthtoHendrix.InplayingtheWoodstockMusic&ArtFairinAugust1969,hejoinedforceswithaneclecticensemblecalledGypsySun&RainbowsfeaturingJimiHendrix,MitchMitchell,BillyCox,JumaSultan,andJerryVelez.TheWoodstockperformancewashighlightedbythefamousrenegadeversionof“StarSpangledBanner,”whichbroughtthemud-soakedaudiencetofrenzy.Theyear1969alsobroughtaboutanewanddefiningcollaborationfeaturingJimiHendrixonguitar,bassistBillyCoxandElectricFlagdrummerBuddyMiles.PerformingastheBandofGypsys,thistriolaunchedaseriesoffourNewYear’sperformancesonDecember31,1969andJanuary1,1970(highlightsfromtheseperformanceswerecompiledandlaterreleasedonthequintessentialBandofGypsysalbuminmid-1970andtheexpanded“Hendrix:LiveAtTheFillmoreEast”in1999).
As1970progressed,JimibroughtbackdrummerMitchMitchelltothegroupandtogetherwithBillyCoxonbass,thisnewtrioonceagainformedTheJimiHendrixExperience.Inthestudio,thegrouprecordedseveraltracksforanothertwoLPset,tentativelytitled“FirstRaysOfTheNewRisingSun.”Unfortunately,Hendrixwasunabletoseethismusicalvisionthroughtocompletionduetohishecticworldwidetouringschedule.Then,tragically,JimidiedonSeptember18,1970.Fortunately,the
recordingsHendrixslatedforreleaseonthealbumwerefinallyissuedthroughthesupportofhisfamilyandoriginalstudioengineerEddieKrameronthe1997release“FirstRaysOfTheNewRisingSun.”
Fromdemorecordingstofinishedmasters,JimiHendrixgeneratedanamazingcollectionofsongsoverthecourseofhisshortcareer.Hismusicembracedtheinfluencesofblues,ballads,rock,R&B,andjazz,acollectionofstylesthatcontinuetomakeHendrixoneofthemostpopularfiguresinthehistoryofrockmusic.
BiographycourtesyExperienceHendrixL.L.C.
7
Introductory Activity:PlayapieceofmusicbyJimiHendrix(maybetheinstructor’sfavorite!)…
Askyourstudents:
Whoisthismusician?
Whatdoyouknowabouthim?
Whatdoyouassociatewithhim?
Doyouthinkhismusicinfluencedfutureartists?How?
KWHLChartUsingaKWHLchart,discoverwhatyourstudentsalreadyknowaboutJimiHendrixandwhattheywouldliketolearnabouthim.
K W H L Whatdowewant Whatdowewant Howcanwefindout Whatdidwelearn?
know? tofindout? whatwewanttolearn?
8
Activity 1
ListentotheenclosedCDsofJimiHendrix’smusic,andthentothoseofhismusicalinfluences,linkstowhichareprovidedbelow.
DiscussionQuestions:
HowwouldyoudescribeJimi’smusic?
Whattypeofspecialeffectsdoyouhear?Whatdotheysoundlike?
In_______________________________(asongofyourteacher’schoice),whatdohislyricssay?WhattypeofmessageisJimitryingtosendtothelistener?
Oftheothermusicianswelistenedto,whodoyouthinkparticularlyinfluencedhim?How?
CanyouheartheinfluenceofJimi’smusicinotherartiststhatplayedafterHendrix?Who?
Arethereanymusicianstodaywhosoundlikehim?
9
Jimi Hendrix Musical InfluencesInfluencesBB King
“TheThrillisGone”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fk2prKnYnl
“Lucillehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8QxOjuYHg&feature=related
Muddy Waters “ManishBoy”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5IOou6qN1o
ContemporariesCream/ Eric Clapton
“StrangeBrew”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hftgytmgQgE
“WhiteRoom”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRqipuLFXek
Buddy Guy “FirstTimeIMettheBlues”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_rd8y8A2oE
”RedHouse”cliphttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfPgTo-vAAM&feature=related
InfluencedPrince
“WhenDovesCry”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucZRore0-EE&feature=related
Stevie Ray Vaughn “TexasFlood”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWlw7nozO_U “PrideandJoy”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWlw7nozO_U
Red Hot Chili Peppers “Can’tStop”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfOdWSiyWoc “BytheWay”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnfyjwChuNU&feature=related
Eddie Van Halen “WomenandChildrenFirst”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ckFuURIWXc“FairWarning”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ergk9eF7398
10
Woodstock, the “Counterculture” and Jimi HendrixTheWoodstockMusicFestivaltookplaceovertheweekendofAugust15th–18th(andintothemorningofthe19th),1969.ItwasheldatadairyfarmownedbyamannamedMaxYasgurinupstateNewYork.Over500,000peopleattendedthefestival,eventhoughitrainedmostoftheweekend,andfood,shelterandotherfacilitieswereinshortsupply.ThemusiciansrangedfromfolkartistsJoanBaezandRichieHavenstobluesandpsychedelicrockmusiciansJanisJoplin,theGratefulDead,theWho,ShaNaNa,andfinally,JimiHendrix.Hendrixwasoneofthefirstmusiciansaskedtoperform,andwasofferedtheclosingspot.HeperformedMondaymorning,asbedraggledconcertgoerswereleaving.Nevertheless,hisperformancewaselectrifying.
Theterms“60’scounterculture”relatestoamovementthatcameaboutmainlyinthe1960’sintheUnitedStates,whenmanyyoungpeoplebegantoquestiontheU.S.involvementinVietNam,racerelations,women’srights,traditionalfamilyvalues,andthemeaningofauthoritygenerally.Manynewculturaltrendsemerged,includingnewformsofmusicsuchas“pop”and“rock&roll.”
Activity 2Showstudentstheentire,orportionsoftheDVDs“JimiHendrix–LiveatWoodstock.”DiscusshowWoodstockgenerally,andJimispecifically,reflectedthe“countercultural”lifestylesmanypeoplewereexperimentingwithatthetime.Discussionquestionscaninclude:
WhydoesmusicbringlargegroupsofpeopletogetherthewayWoodstockdid?Wasitjustthemusic,orwastheresomethingelsethatbroughtsoanypeoplefromaroundtheworldtooneplace?
HavingseentheDVDofJimiHendrixplayingatWoodstock,inwhatwaysdoyouthinkherepresentedthecounterculture?Whatdidyounoticeabouthisperformancethatwasexcitingorespeciallyinteresting?
WouldyouhavegonetoWoodstockifyoucouldhave?
Haveyouattendedanyperformancesinyourlifethatmadeyoufeellikeyousharedalifestyleorpointofviewwiththosearoundyou?
Doyouthinkthecounterculturalmovementofthe1960’shashadaninfluenceonyourownlife?Ifso,inwhatways?
11
Activity 3DigDeepCBAUsingtheartifactsinthetrunkandthebackgroundmaterialtheyhaveread,haveyourstudentsdevelopahistoricalquestiontheywanttoansweraboutJimi’slife.Someexamplesare:
n DoyoubelievethatJimi’smusicwastrulygroundbreaking?Why?
n Werethereexperiencesinhischildhoodoryounglifethatyouthinkinfluencedhissuccessasa musician?How?
n ArethereanymusiciansworkingtodaythatyouthinkareasinfluentialasJimiwas?Whoarethey andwhyaretheyimportant?
n Jimilivedduringatimewhenmanypeoplewereexperimentingwithdifferentwaystolive.Howdid this“counterculture”influenceJimiandhismusic?
Thenhaveyourstudentsprepareapaperorpresentationonthequestiontheyhavechosen(studentsmaydeveloptheirownquestion,also)inwhichtheystateapositiononthequestion,andprovidereasonsfortheirposition.Theyshouldinclude:
n Anexplanationofhowatleastthreeprimaryorsecondarysourcessupportwhattheybelieve;and
n evidencefortheirpositionusingtwoormoreofthefollowingsocialscienceperspectives:
– geographic
– cultural
– political
– economic
– sociological
– psychological
Intheirpaperorpresentation,theyshouldrefertothreeormorecrediblesourcesthatproviderelevantinformationANDcitethosesourceswithinthepaper,presentation,orbibliography.
12
BiographyHowdoyoutellthestoryofsomeone’slife?Abiographyisthetruestoryofsomeone’slife,toldbyathirdperson.Biographiesareoftenwrittenaboutapersonwhohadanimportantplaceinhistory,oracurrentcelebrity,butlesswell-knownpeoplehavefascinatinglivesandstoriestotellaswell.Thebiographer’sjobistofindoutasmuchaboutthatperson’slifeaspossibleandcondenseitintoaformpeoplecanread.
Activity 4:Writeabiographyofsomeonewhointerestsyou.Aftercoveringtheelementsofabiographywithyourstudents(below),havethemresearchandwritethebiographyofapersonwhointereststhemorsomeoneintheirlifewhohasinfluencedtheminsomeway.
Quick “How to Write a Biography” Tips! n Findprimaryandsecondarysources.
n Readotherbiographiesonthesubject.
n Findathemethatdiffersfromcurrentbiographies.
n Researchthesubject’shistoricaltime.
n Getauthorizationfromthesubjectorhis/herestate.
n Takesomelimitedartisticlicense,butkeepitfactual.
Introduction
Step 1: Finding Sources Findingsourcesofinformationisthemostimportantpartofwritingabiography.Sourcescanbeprimary,secondaryortertiary(youcanthinkofthemas“first,”“second”and“third”sources).
Primary Sourcesareanythingwrittenbythepersonduringthetimetheywerealive.Theymayhavewrittenabook,letter,orarticle.Today,emailsandblogpostingsarealsoprimarysourcematerials.Solookfor:
n Letters
n Emails
n Blogpostings
n Journals
n Publishedwork,suchasbooks,articles
n Interviews
n TVappearances
n Factbasedarticles
n Youcanalsointerviewpeoplewhoareexpertsaboutthatperson.Theseinterviewsareprimary sources.
13
Secondary Sourcesarefact-basedinterpretationsofsomeone’slife.Theseinclude:
n Interviewswithclosefriendsoracquaintances
n Editorialarticles
n Otherbiographies
Youcanalsoresearchthetimeinhistorythatpersonlived.ForinstanceJimiHendrixachievedhisfameintheUnitedStatesinthe1960s.ManysourcesexistaboutthistimeinhistorythatwouldprovidecontextforJimi’slife.
Tertiary Sourcesaregeneralsourcesthatincludeyoursubject.Thesecaninclude:
n Encyclopedias
n Almanacs
n Textbooks
n Bibliographies
Youcanalsoresearchthetimeinhistorythatpersonlived.ForinstanceJimiHendrixachievedhisfameintheUnitedStatesinthe1960s.ManysourcesexistaboutthistimeinhistorythatwouldprovidecontextforJimi’slife.
Pleasenotethatonlinesources,likeWikipedia,whichcontainsuser-generatedcontent,arenotalwaysaccurate.However,someideasforotherreferencesmaybegainedbylookingatthesesites.
Step 2: Getting Authorization Therearetwomajortypesofbiographies:authorizedandunauthorized.Authorizedbiographiesareonesthathavebeenapprovedbythesubjectherself,orifheorsheisdeceased,byherfamilyorrepresentative(her”estate”).Anunauthorizedbiographyisonethathasnotbeenapprovedbythesubjectorthesubject’sestate,ifheorsheisdeceased.(The Publishing Law Center: Publication of an Unauthorized Biography).Itcanbedifficulttogetaccesstoprimarysourcesifyoudonotfirstgetapprovalfromthesubject’sestateorrelatives.However,itisnotmandatorytohavethesecredentials.Inordertogetaccesstoprivaterecordsortoconductinterviewsyoushouldconsider:
Contact Subjects
Contactingasubjectdependsifheorsheisstillliving.Ifthesubjectisstillalive,youshouldcontacthim/herviaemailortelephone.AccessWashington:RequestanInformationalInterview.Obviously,ifthepersonisveryfamous,thiswillbedifficult,soyouwillneedtocontactthesubjectthroughothermeans,suchasheragent(literary,sports,etc.),publisher,orwebsite.
Ifthesubjectisdeceased,youneedtofindcontactinformationaboutthesubject’sestate.Ifthesubjectdidnotleavebehindasignificantestate,youneedtocontactrelatives.Again,thiscanbedonethroughapublisheroryoucanfindrelativesoracquaintancesonlineorviaaprinteddirectory.About.com: Top Ten Ways to Do a Free People Search On the Web Yellow Pages: Find a Person.
14
Researching Without Authorization Ifyouareunabletointerviewyoursubjectinperson,orgainaccesstopersonalfiles,youwillhavetolookelsewhereforsourcematerial.Themainplacestoconductresearchare:
n Thelibrary,includingbothbookandperiodicalresources(Cornell University Library: The Seven Steps of the Research Process).
n TheInternet:About.com:TopTenWaystoDoaFreePeopleSearchOntheWeb
n Fieldwork:suchasvisitingthesubject’shometownorotherplaceswherethesubjectlived.The American Folklife Center: How to Do Fieldwork
Important Note:Anunauthorizedbiographycanresultinlegalaction,evenifthereisnothinglibelous(unjustlydescribingsomeoneinanunfavorablelight)inthebiography.Thesubjectcansueforinvasionofprivacy.However,unauthorizedbiographiesarealsoprotectedbythefirstamendment.Itisprobablyagoodideatotalktoalawyerbeforestartinganunauthorizedbiography.
Step 3: Conducting Interviews Asyouconductyourresearchintoaperson’slife,youshouldhaveanumberofquestionsinmind.Yourgoalistoproveathesis,ratherthanjustdrylylistfactsaboutaperson’slife.Asyoucontinueresearchingasubject,yourthesiswillexpand,orevenchange.
Step 4: Writing the Biography Thetricktowritingasuccessfulbiographyistobringyoursubject“alive.”Avoidmerelylistingasequenceofdates-abiographyismeanttobeanobjectivelookataperson’slifefilteredthroughthebiographer’sinterpretation(WritersServices.com: Writing Biography and Autobiography).Ofcourseyoudon’twanttofictionalize,butthebiographercantakesomeartisticlicense.Solongasyouhaveampleevidencefromyourresearch,youcanelaboratetosomedegree,forexample,astowhatthesubjectmighthavebeenfeelingorthinkingatacertainpoint.
Herearethemainpointstodetermineaboutasubject’slife(About.com: How to Write an Interesting Biography):
n Importantdatesintheperson’slife
n Howthehistoricaltimeimpactedthesubject.
n Howhe/sheimpactedhistory.
n Howheorshelearnedfromlifeexperiences.
n Majoreventsintheperson’slife.
n Mostinfluentialrelationships.
n Majorandminoraccomplishments.
Generally,biographiesarewritteninchronologicalorder.However,it’snotuncommonforthebiographytobeginwithamajoreventfromtheperson’slifeandthenbacktracktohowitallbegan.
15
Conclusion Biographiescanbeseveralvolumesorjustseveralpages.Condensingalifetimeintoawrittendocumentcanbechallenging!Butifyouresearchabiographicalsubjectthroughawidevarietyofsources,you’llbeabletowriteanauthoritative,andhopefullyentertaining,biography.
Activity 5: WriteYourOwnBiographyTakingintoconsiderationwhatyouhavelearnedaboutwritingabiographyasaresultofstudyingJimiHendrix—allthatyoulearnedabouthimfromartifacts,pictures,andhismusic—tellyourownstory.Puttogetheracollectionofobjects,picturesanddocumentsthatmakeupyour“biography.”
n Whichobjectsrepresentyoubest?
n Wouldotherpeopleknowthisaboutyou?
n Whichpicturesofyouorothersaremostimportanttoyou?
n Whatdotheysayaboutyouorhelptellthestoryofyourlife?
n Arethereanydocumentsthatteachusaboutyou?
n Doyouhaveyourbirthcertificates,announcements,newspaperarticlesoronlinepostings?
n Whatactivitiesorpassionsdoyoupursueinlife?Sports?Music?Art?Volunteering?Spendingtime withfriends?
Putalloftheseitemstogetherandwriteyourownbiography.Whatwouldyouberememberedforatthistime?Whatdoyouhopetoaccomplishinyourlifeandhowfarhaveyoualreadycome?
Everybody’s story is different and important, whether they are famous or not.
Recommended ResourcesBooksBlack,Johnny.Jimi Hendrix: The Ultimate Experience,Thunder’sMouthPress,NewYork,NY.1999.
Hendrix,JamesA.My Son Jimi.AlJasEnterprises,L.P.,Seattle,WA.1999
Hendrix,JanieandJohnMcDermott.Hendrix an Illustrated Experience,AtriaBooks,NewYork,NY.2007.
Hendrix,Janie.Jimi Hendrix: The Lyrics,HalLeonardCorporation,Milwaukee,WI.2003
Shadwick,Keith.Jimi Hendrix: Musician,BackbeatBooks,SanFrancisco,CA.2003
Willix,Mary.Jimi Hendrix: Voices from Home,CreativeForcesPublishing,SanDiego,CA.1995
Websiteswww.blackpast.org
www.empsfm.org
http://www.jimihendrixmemorial.com
www.jimihendrix.com