A national tour, featuring some of the best known and most respected figures in contemporary music, celebrating the legacy and music of Jimi Hendrix is to be launched next month by Experience Hendrix, the production company formed in 1995 by the family of Jimi Hendrix.

The tour kicks off with three initial dates starting February 22 at the Paramount Theater in Hendrix's home town of Seattle where the program will include acoustic and electric performances by Buddy Guy along with special performances by Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Living Colour, former Alice In Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell, Indigenous, Kid Rock lead guitarist Kenny Olson, former Howlin' Wolf lead guitarist Hubert Sumlin, Earth Wind & Fire guitarist Sheldon Reynolds, Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon-Double Trouble-the famed rhythm section for legendary guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, as well as original Jimi Hendrix Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Billy Cox. Paul Rodgers of Bad Company fame has been added to the bill as a special guest.

"We felt strongly that a live presentation of the music that Jimi Hendrix created and which inspired him would be an exciting and unique way of conveying his relevance to today's audiences," explains Janie Hendrix President and CEO for Experience Hendrix.

The tour continues toPortland's Roseland Theater on February 24th where the performers will include Guy, Living Colour, Cantrell, Indigenous, Mitchell and Cox and Double Trouble. Experience Hendrix will present Guy, Rodgers, Joe Satriani, Cantrell, Indigenous, Mitchell and Cox, Double Trouble and Sheldon Reynolds at the Warfield Theater on February 26th.

The artists will perform such classic Hendrix songs as "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)," "Hey Joe," "Red House," and "Little Wing" along with blues standards performed and recorded by the late guitarist. Hendrix admired the gritty electric blues popularized by the likes of Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters and transformed their songs such as "Killing Floor" and "Catfish Blues" in his own inimitable style. Buddy Guy and Hubert Sumlin, who served as lead guitarists for Wolf and Waters, thus, return to pay homage to the guitarist who both broadened the scope and commercialized the blues like no artist had ever done. In addition to these special performances, the concerts will feature biographical information, interactive kiosks, and video footage of the legendary guitarist.

The opportunity to celebrate the legendary guitarist's music and continuing influence is welcomed by former Jimi Hendrix Experience bandmates Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox. Bassist Billy Cox, who first befriended Hendrix when the two served in the US Army's 101st Airborne Division and later joined him in both the Band Of Gypsys and the Experience, is extremely pleased with the tour concept and the work the Hendrix family has completed since taking control in 1995.

"Nobody cared about any of us musicians until Experience Hendrix came into being," states Cox. "We were never consulted about anything to do with the Jimi's music until the Hendrix family took over. I think Jimi would be proud of the way Janie Hendrix and the company have kept the music available to people around the world."Mitch Mitchell strongly concurs with Cox: "Janie Hendrix has done her best to rectify the miserable, unjust situation which had gone on year after year. Janie cares about the music, she cares about the legacy and the fans. Until Experience Hendrix came on the scene there was no one in my opinion who cared about the quality of the music, about Jimi's name, and certainly about me. As for me, no one but Janie ever bothered and for that I am deeply grateful."

Today, Jimi Hendrix's status as a cultural icon stands undiminished. His popularity and concomitant record sales continue throughout the world. His continuing imprint on popular culture-more than three decades after his untimely death in 1970 is remarkable. Hendrix's appeal has been tapped repeatedly byHollywood. The recent hit Stuck On You prominently featured the classic Hendrix favorite "Fire" for just one example. Meanwhile Outkast has revived his fashion style, while Nigel Kennedy, the classical genre's best selling artist, has interpreted Hendrix's songs in that realm. Hendrix songs are regularly performed in concert by numerous touring artists including the Red Hot Chili Peppers and John Mayer. In May, Experience Hendrix will release Power Of Soul, a tribute album featuring new and previously unreleased recordings by Eric Clapton, Sting, Prince, Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble and other heavyweights.

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