12 Mind-Blowing Music Facts You Never Knew

12. The King Of Electric Guitar Couldn't Read Music

Jimi Hendrix, considered by many to be the king of electric guitar (move over, B.B.), was a genius player by anyone's standards and seemed able to craft smooth bluesy gold out of thin air. However, he was entirely incapable of reading sheet music.

As a self-taught guitarist, Hendrix never benefited from a musical education beyond the sounds of his record player. He learned to play by ear, laboriously picking out the riffs and melodies of his heroes to expand his knowledge and ability.

According to interviews with the man himself, he instead used colours to recall and communicate his musical ideas to his bandmates. It is no wonder then that his psychedelic album covers and bright musical textures were quickly embraced by his late-sixties/early-seventies acid-soaked fan base.