Hendrix psychedelic jacket strikes a chord

Sixties look: the Hendrix jacket

LONDON, England (CNN) -- A psychedelic jacket that belonged to rock legend Jimi Hendrix has gone on show as a poignant tribute to the star who died 30 years ago, aged just 27.

The oriental-style jacket is on display at Covent Garden's Hard Rock Cafe where it will be auctioned on Tuesday as the star item in a Sotheby's auction of rock 'n' roll memorabilia.

Bidding is expected from collectors around the world -- last year the star exhibit in the sale, John Lennon's Gallotine 'Champion' acoustic guitar sold for $230,000.

The green silk jacket, flamboyantly printed with dragon designs in a landscape of pagodas, trees and flowers, will be sold together with a photograph of Jimi and a letter confirming its authenticity from his friend Judith Vernon.

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The flamboyant guitar virtuoso gave the jacket to Vernon -- her husband was manager of Fleetwood Mac -- as a gift before the second Jimi Hendrix Experience UK tour in 1967. It is being sold on behalf of a private collector and is estimated to sell for around $30,000.

Sotheby's said what was particularly good about the jacket was that there were a number of photographs in existence of Hendrix, who was born in Seattle, U.S., wearing it.

At the time the jacket was designed for a woman and was made for just $10.

Other Hendrix items in the sale include a signed Jimi Hendrix Experience programme for a concert in Rome, expected to fetch $3,000, and a flyer for a concert at the Imperial Ballroom, Nelson, Lancashire, expected to fetch $1,500.

Hendrix's career spanned just four years

A signed memo from Hendrix authorising payment of a deposit of $17,000 for Ampex tape machines intended for Electric Lady Studios I and II, with the total sum of $84,000 to be paid over three years, is expected to fetch $3,000.

At the same auction a rare autographed copy of the Beatles album, "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" -- signed by all four Beatles, Paul and John using just their first names -- is expected to sell at $20,000-$22,500.

A patchwork Dolce & Gabbana blouse worn by Madonna during her "Girlie Show Tour" in 1992 has a guide price of $4,800-$5,700.

George Michael's signed handwritten lyrics for his song "Faith" are estimated at $15,000-$22,500.

Sotheby's said some of the items were expected to be purchased by the Hard Rock Cafe group and used as decorations in their new restaurant in Manchester, England.

The jacket sale is one of a number of celebrations around the world to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the guitarist's death.

In the U.S., Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, which two years ago featured Impressionist Claude Monet and now draws crowds with its Vincent Van Gogh exhibit, is about to put on display Hendrix's guitar.

His 1967 Gibson Flying V -- complete with a psychedelic flower-power pattern designed by the guitarist -- is among some 130 instruments in "Dangerous Curves: Art of the Guitar."

There has also been the release of the guitarist's four-CD box set and the opening of a Hendrix exhibit at Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Also in the U.S., the Showtime cable channel is showing a biography, "Hendrix," on Sunday.

This makes the point that despite his status as a pop supernova, the entirety of his legendary career spanned just four years -- from his arrival in London in 1966 to his death in 1970 at age 27. It covers his key concerts -- including Monterey and Woodstock -- and is generous with the time devoted to such songs as "Hey Joe," "Like a Rolling Stone," "All Along the Watchtower" and "Purple Haze."

It also addresses something that baffles Hendrix fans -- why did he ever agree to open for the Monkees at a Miami concert in 1967?

Hendrix died in his sleep after an overdose of barbiturates on September 18, 1970.

From CNN.com Europe

Hendrix making music 30 years after death
September 8, 2000
Jimi Hendrix family wins domain name
August 8, 2000
Jimi Hendrix: Following the path of a guitar legend
June 26, 2000

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