Celebrations surrounding the annual San Diego Street Scene kicked into high gear Friday afternoon (September 6) with the doors to The 2002 Jimi Hendrix Red House Tour opening to throngs of eagerly awaiting fans. Completely rebuilt from the ground up, The 2002 Jimi Hendrix Red House Tour truck has been redesigned from the inside out including a new psychedelic truck design featuring a multitude of rare and previously unseen photographs of Jimi on stage and in the studio.

For three straight days, thousands of Hendrix fans from all walks of life streamed inside the truck to get a glimpse of Jimi Hendrix's incredible musical legacy. Once inside, visitors had the opportunity to take part in a variety of interactive visual presentations that focus on many of the most significant events in the life of Jimi Hendrix. Fans are encouraged to follow the detailed historical timeline of Jimi Hendrix's entire life - taking visitors from his birthplace in Seattle, Washington on November 27, 1942 through till his tragic passing on September 18, 1970.

Throughout, the newly designed visual displays tell the story of many of his most significant contributions to the world of music including detailed overviews of each of his major album releases including 1967's Are You Experienced and Axis: Bold As Love, 1968's Electric Ladyland and 1970's Band Of Gypsys. In addition to his original core album releases, intricate notes, rare photographs and recording details of some of Hendrix's posthumous releases are included throughout; plus significant coverage of some of The Experience's key live concert performances including shows at the Monterey Pop International Pop Festival (June 18, 1967), Woodstock Art & Music Fair (August 18, 1969), and the Isle Of Wight Festival Of Music (August 30, 1970) which include music, photographs, and comprehensive video presentations.

Following on the heels of the last year's successful nationwide tour, Experience Hendrix's Vice President Bob Hendrix explained, "the family received an overwhelmingly positive response from everyone that has visited Red House tour in the past. It's a real testament to the fans of Jimi Hendrix and their love for him and his music. It's this sort of positive feedback that encouraged the family to expand the 2002 tour event." Included in this year's Red House Tour are a series of three big screen video presentations, plus a redesigned version of our hugely popular big screen, Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound theatre featuring newly remixed programs created by original Hendrix studio engineer, Eddie Kramer. A series of programs highlighting Hendrix's stage performances at Monterey and the Isle Of Wight cycled through the big screen during the weekend.

As an added bonus for fans returning to the Red House Tour this year is a new interactive computer-based video kiosk on loan from Seattle's Experience Music Project. The Interactive Lyric Book kiosk takes a in-depth look at the words, music, and inspirational forces behind some of Jimi's most beloved classic recordings and takes fans through the development of the lyrics (in Jimi's own handwriting) through to the finish masterpiece as put to tape in the studio. The impact of these presentations is accented with theater-like stereo sound and a 42" flat screen video panel for added effect.

While much of the focus inside the Red House Tour truck is pointed at the surround sound theater whose newly remastered programs are culled from original archival audio and film sources. Visitors also have the opportunity to shop in the expanded boutique featuring some of the latest additions to the collection of officially authorized Jimi Hendrix memorabilia plus special items available exclusively through Experience Hendrix.

Throughout the weekend, thousands of highly appreciative fans labored over this exciting exhibition, which provides a unique opportunity for music lovers of all ages to relive the magic of Jimi Hendrix and to gain a better understanding of his lasting influences on modern rock music.

On Saturday afternoon (September 7), while thousands of fans flocked inside the Red House Tour truck, more than a dozen musicians from around the globe gathered once again, in a non-descript building on the perimeter of the Street Scene compound in preparations for the evening events.

[ click here to read about the afternoon rehearsals ]

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