Jimi Hendrix is one of rock and roll's most iconic figures and its greatest guitar god. He got a guitar, he was an amazing student, was in a number of bands, but before his 19th birthday, Hendrix ran afoul of the law one too many times. Offered the choice between prison and the army, Hendrix found himself a member of the 101st Airborne division, but this free spirit was not destined for a military career. After an honorable discharge, Hendrix moved to Tennessee where he would back the likes of Wilson Pickett, Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson, from there to Queens, New York, where he'd soon be the primary backing guitarist for the Isley Brothers and Little Richard. Then in the spring of '66, and Rick's headed across the pond, got himself the right manager, an amazing band and the Jimi Hendrix Experience was born.

In the summer of '67, Hendrix gave us one of rock and roll's most iconic moments at the Monterey Pop Festival, setting his guitar on fire at the end of an already incendiary set. As one critic put it, "he walked onto that stage a rumor, and left a legend."

Between his incredible talent and superior showmanship, Hendrix's star rose faster and farther than ever. In fact, by the time he appeared at Woodstock in 1969, he was the highest paid rock musician in the world. Unfortunately, it wouldn't last; Hendrix was a frequent user of a wide range of drugs, and in September of 1970, at the age of 27, a combination of barbiturates and alcohol snuffed out one of the brightest lights in rock and roll history.

To this day, he's still widely regarded as the single greatest electric guitar player of all time. There's never been anyone like Jimi Hendrix before, and it may very well be there never will be again.