Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision, the new documentary exploring the building of the iconic studio will arrive this summer.
The new film from Experience LLC is set to open at New York’s The Quad on August 6, followed by a global rollout.
The film charts the creation of the Manhattan recording space Hendrix initially envisioned as a nightclub.
Hendrix’s engineer Eddie Kramer, a key voice in the documentary, explained that the ‘Purple Haze’ singer loved jamming at The Generation nightclub in the Village.
“When it went bankrupt, he and Mike Jeffery [Hendrix’s manager] purchased it with a view to making it a place for him and his friends to relax and possibly record their jams on an 8-track tape machine in the corner,” he explained.
Nearly three years in the making "Angel" was a striking composition #Hendrix first contemplated during recording sessions for AXIS: BOLD AS LOVE. By July 23, 1970, Jimi entered Electric Lady Studios to record the rendition that first appeared on CRY OF LOVE. #JimiHendrix pic.twitter.com/r1ulcHoSnP
— Jimi Hendrix (@JimiHendrix) July 23, 2023
“I knew at once that a club would be disastrous. I remember saying something like: ‘You guys must be out your fucking minds! Do you have any idea of what Jimi spends in studio time in a year?’ Let’s build the best studio in the world for him so when he walks in, he can relax and record whenever he wants.”
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He said that once the club idea was scratched, the iconic space was born, and Studio A was ready for Hendrix to come in and record within a year.
“Man, was he proud of it,” recalled Kramer. “He loved the way it sounded and its vibe. We recorded many tracks for a new album over the next four months, which became ‘The Cry Of Love’.
“The legacy of what Jimi wanted endures to this day: a place where one could create without being interrupted. Every artist who comes to Electric Lady Studios feels the spirit of Jimi Hendrix, a spirit that helps them create their own music!”
Direction on the film comes from Hendrix biographer John McDermott (Music, Money, Madness: Jimi Hendrix Live In Maui), and features interviews with ‘Cry Of Love’ bassist Billy Cox, Steve Winwood, as well as the original staff of Electric Lady Studios.
Fans can expect to see never-before-seen footage and photos, as well as track breakdowns of ‘Angel’, ‘Dolly Dagger’ and ‘Freedom’.
Artists who have gone on to record at Electric Lady Studios include John Lennon, David Bowie, The Clash, Lana Del Rey, Patti Smith and more.