Jimi Hendrix’s Monterey Stratocaster – A Rock History Icon
When we talk about Jimi Hendrix, one moment stands out above the rest: his legendary performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. On June 18th, in Monterey, California, Hendrix didn’t just deliver one of the most memorable performances of his career; he turned his Fender Stratocaster into a symbol that would forever be etched in the history of rock music.
After finishing his cover of the Troggs’ “Wild Thing,” Jimi Hendrix knelt down on stage, drenched his fiesta red Stratocaster with lighter fluid, set it ablaze, and then smashed it to pieces. This spectacle not only left the audience in awe but was immortalized in film, posters, and even limited-edition Fender replicas. Before the show, Hendrix had hand-painted the guitar white and added flower designs, making it a unique piece of rock memorabilia.
One of a Kind in History
At that time, Hendrix wasn’t yet the guitar legend he would soon become. As a result, there’s not much detailed information about the Stratocaster he destroyed at Monterey. However, it is known that Hendrix had a preference for Stratocasters made after 1965. Some collectors speculate that this was because the weaker single-coil pickups on these models, when paired with Marshall stacks, produced a heavier and more powerful sound.
A Defining Moment in Rock Style
The impact of Hendrix’s Monterey performance echoed through the music world. One of the most famous stories from that night is when Mama Cass of The Mamas & the Papas turned to Pete Townshend of The Who and asked, “Pete, aren’t you the guy who smashes guitars?” Townshend could only respond, “Everything I do, everything I’ve done, everything I could ever come up with, it’s his now.”
A Lasting Impact on the Guitar World
Jimi Hendrix didn’t just destroy his Stratocaster that night; he shattered all expectations of what a guitar performance could be. His bold actions inspired countless artists in the years that followed, and the image of Hendrix with his burning Strat has become an enduring symbol of rock rebellion.
In his autobiography The Universal Tone, Carlos Santana recalled the event and the reaction it stirred: “Everyone was talking about how Jimi Hendrix burned his Strat and broke it onstage, and people asked, ‘How could he?’” The answer is simple: Jimi Hendrix was a musical genius, unafraid to push the boundaries of music and performance to new, revolutionary heights.
This version not only captures the historical essence of the event but also emphasizes the role of the guitar in shaping the style and culture of rock music.
