Following an afternoon of music that included music by Blues Traveler and Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers, the Jimi Hendrix Tribute kicked off at 8:45 p.m. to a capacity crowd estimated at over 30,000 strong. Responding to the calls of "Jimi, Jimi, Jimi" event emcee Bob Hendrix and tribute co-producer Janie Hendrix took to the stage to welcome the thousands in attendance to the forthcoming festivities.

"The fans come out to have a good time," says Janie Hendrix, "but they are all so beautiful in that they love music and enjoy what is being offered to them. They came to listen and pay their respects to Jimi. The excitement from the stage and the excitement from the audience created an electric atmosphere."

Kicking off the electric activities was blues guitarist Bernard Allison and harpist Jym Fahey, who teamed together for a stirring acoustic rendition of Hendrix's classic "Hear My Train A Comin'." Despite some trying moments and technical difficulties at forthright, the duo maintained their composure and dished up a chilling rendition styled after Hendrix's own acoustic offering as featured on the album Jimi Hendrix :Blues. Having honed his skills in the late 1980s as part of Koko Taylor's touring band, Allison deft guitarmanship shone through with every bit as much energy of his late father, blues legend Luther Allison.

Following the Allison/Fahey duo was the trio of blues/gospel lap-steel guitarist Robert Randolph and Double Trouble members Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton who performed a blazingly unique rendition of Hendrix's fiery classic "Purple Haze." Having been compared to the likes of Hendrix, Duane Allman, and Joe Satriani, Randolph's unique approach to the 12-string pedal-based, lap guitar brings elements of the Hammond B-3 organ into play, which ultimately made for a wickedly inspirational tribute to Hendrix that combined soul, R&B, rock, and blues into one incredibly cohesive, crowd pleasing package. Afterwards, one crowd member was heard describing the performance as the best cover of "Purple Haze" he'd ever heard.

Next on stage, joining Double Trouble was Matchbox 20's guitarist, Kyle Cook, who returns to the tribute front after a four year absence following the group's involvement in 1998's CD tribute to Fleetwood Mac. In addition to Cook, on stage were Cesar Rojas and David Hidalgo from local fan-favorites Los Lobos, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band vocalist Noah Hunt plus special guest John Popper from Blues Traveler also joined the ensemble cast who performed Hendrix's timeless Axis: Bold As Love track, "Little Wing."

Fresh from his flight from England, ex-Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor took to the stage alongside three of four members of the Nakota Nation hit group, Indigenous. Taylor was in high spirits joking to the crowd while he tuned his guitar. Together with guitarist Mato Nanji, bassist Pte, percussionist Horse, and their sister Wandbi on drums, the quartet played a stirring rendition of Hendrix's pivotal 12-bar blues "Red House" as featured on The Experience's debut release Are You Experienced. This crowd pleasing rendition allowed these two flawless guitar masters to each shine as soloists at different parts of the song as well as part of the greater whole as the two rocked-out together for a great tribute.

Following "Red House," Double Trouble and Noah Hunt returned to the stage, this time flanked by modern electric blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd. True to his nature, Shepherd led the group on stage through a rousing rendition of the Electric Ladyland track "Come On (Let The Good Times Roll)." Sporting one of the limited edition Fender Custom Shop "Monterey Stratocaster" electric guitars, Shepherd exploded in the second half of the number with a series of wicked guitar solos that once again proved why he continues to be one of the most celebrated young guitarists in the industry.

Always able to spark an immediate reaction from crowds, the newly reformed Living Colour featuring Vernon Reid (guitar), Will Calhoun (drums), Doug Wimbish (bass) and vocalist Corey Glover who was returning for his second consecutive stint in the Jimi Hendrix Tribute Concert, took to the stage to play an roaring, mind-bending version of the Band Of Gypsys' classic "Power Of Soul." Just as the group's trailblazing work of the late 1980s broke new ground on the musical landscape, the group's tribute to Hendrix's set the crowd alight with affectionate cheers.

... continued on next page