10 Worst Burnouts In Rock History
9. Jimi Hendrix
Every generation seems to have that one musician that seems to be from another world. No matter how much you may like to hone your craft, these musicians are able to make the most mind-bending music almost by second nature. While Jimi Hendrix certainly fits in that category, the extracurriculars in his life proved to be too much for rock and roll's gypsy.
Arriving in England first with the Experience, Hendrix became one of the biggest guitar stars overnight, putting even giants like Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton to shame. Though albums like Are You Experienced and Electric Ladyland set him up nicely, the ensuing drama between Hendrix and the rest of his band led to him dissolving the group into the Band of Gypsys. Showing up at Woodstock, Hendrix was ready to throw down and deliver the same amazing guitar work all over again.
As the touring went on, Hendrix found himself increasingly depressed and dependent on drugs and alcohol to get him through the day. Once he settled back in England in between setting up his Electric Ladyland studio in New York, Hendrix was found unresponsive in a girlfriend's home after asphyxiating on his own vomit after a night of self-medicating. For as much musical brilliance he gave us in his lifetime, Hendrix's signature magic may have burned too bright for his own morality.