Jimi Hendrix, a legendary figure in rock music, died in London on September 18, 1970, at the age of 27. The circumstances surrounding his death have been the subject of much discussion and conflicting accounts. His final day, September 17, 1970, was a complex series of events involving personal relationships, business concerns, and social engagements, all culminating in his tragic passing. This article delves into the known details of Hendrix's last
24 hours, piecing together the narrative from available information.
The Morning and Afternoon of September 17
Hendrix began his last full day in London at Monika Dannemann's apartment in the Samarkand Hotel. He woke late that morning and, by around 2:00 p.m., was seen in a garden area outside the apartment, enjoying tea. During this time, Dannemann took photographs of him holding his favorite Fender Stratocaster guitar, which he affectionately called "Black Beauty." Author Tony Brown observed that Hendrix did not appear particularly healthy in these photographs, noting his face seemed a little puffy and he only attempted to smile in a few of the pictures.According to Dannemann, by 3:00 p.m., they had left the apartment. Their first stop was a local bank to withdraw money from Hendrix's account. They then proceeded to Kensington Market, where Hendrix signed an autograph for a young boy, purchased a leather jacket, and ordered some shoes. While at the market, he briefly encountered his ex-girlfriend Kathy Etchingham. Hendrix invited her to visit him at his hotel that evening at 8:00 p.m., but she declined due to prior engagements, a decision she later admitted to regretting. Following this, Hendrix and Dannemann visited a Chelsea antiques market, where Hendrix bought more clothing. After another stop to buy writing paper, which he used to compose his final lyrics, they drove to his suite at the Cumberland Hotel.
Encounters and Evening Engagements
On their way to the Cumberland Hotel, Hendrix and Dannemann met Devon Wilson, who was walking down King's Road. Hendrix asked Dannemann to stop the car so he could speak with Wilson, who then invited him to a party that evening. Dannemann reportedly became jealous during this brief interaction, giving Wilson a cold stare. Later, Phillip Harvey invited Dannemann and Hendrix to tea, an invitation they accepted. Before arriving at Harvey's, they made a brief stop at the Cumberland Hotel.While at the hotel, Hendrix made several telephone calls. Dannemann stated he called his lawyer, Henry Steingarten, to inquire about ending his contract with his manager, Mike Jeffery, and left a voice message for producer Eddie Kramer. Mitch Mitchell, Hendrix's bandmate, recalled receiving a call from Hendrix at the Cumberland on September 17, after being prompted by tour manager Gerry Stickells. Mitchell said that during their phone conversation, Hendrix agreed to join him around midnight at the Speakeasy Club for a pre-arranged jam session that was to include Sly Stone.
The Party and Return to Dannemann's Apartment
After their stop at the Cumberland, Hendrix and Dannemann accompanied Harvey to his apartment, arriving around 5:30 p.m. There, they smoked hashish and drank tea and wine with Harvey and two female companions, discussing their careers. Around 10:00 p.m., Dannemann, feeling excluded and jealous of the attention Hendrix was giving Harvey's female friends, became visibly upset and left the apartment. Hendrix followed her, and an argument ensued, during which Dannemann reportedly shouted, "you fucking pig." Harvey, concerned about attracting police attention, asked them to quiet down. Harvey later provided an affidavit in 1994, stating he was mildly concerned for Hendrix's safety, fearing Dannemann might resort to "serious physical violence." He claimed Dannemann "verbally assaulted [Hendrix] in the most offensive possible way." Approximately 30 minutes later, Hendrix re-entered the flat, apologized for the outburst, and then left with Dannemann at 10:40 p.m.Dannemann stated that she then prepared a meal for them at her apartment around 11:00 p.m. and they shared a bottle of wine. Sometime after returning to the apartment, Hendrix took a bath and wrote a poem titled "The Story of Life." He also called former producer/co-manager Chas Chandler and left a message on his answering machine, saying, "I need help bad, man."
The Final Hours and Discovery
At approximately 1:45 a.m. on Friday, September 18, Dannemann drove Hendrix to a party hosted by Pete Kameron, an acquaintance and business associate of Hendrix. At the party, Hendrix discussed business problems, ate some food, and took at least one amphetamine tablet. About 30 minutes later, Dannemann called the flat's intercom asking for Hendrix. Another guest, Stella Douglas, asked her to return later. According to guest Angie Burdon, when Dannemann returned about 15 minutes later, Douglas was assertive with her. Undeterred, Dannemann demanded to speak with Hendrix. Burdon recalled that Hendrix became angry because Dannemann "wouldn't leave him alone." Other guests reportedly shouted from the windows, asking Dannemann to leave. Hendrix eventually spoke with Dannemann before unexpectedly leaving the party around 3:00 a.m.Dannemann, the only eyewitness to Hendrix's final hours, stated that sometime after 3:00 a.m., she prepared two tuna fish sandwiches for them after they arrived back at her basement apartment. Around 4:00 a.m., Hendrix, struggling with insomnia after consuming amphetamines, asked her for sleeping tablets. She later claimed she refused his request, hoping he would fall asleep naturally. Dannemann said she surreptitiously took a sleeping tablet around 6:00 a.m., with Hendrix still awake. She awoke sometime between 10:00–10:20 a.m. to find him sleeping normally next to her. She then left to buy cigarettes, and upon her return around 11:00 a.m., found him in bed, breathing but unconscious and unresponsive. She telephoned for an ambulance at 11:18 a.m., which arrived at 11:27 a.m. The ambulance crew found Hendrix alone in bed, covered in vomit, with his airway completely blocked. He was pronounced dead at St Mary Abbots Hospital at 12:45 p.m. on September 18, 1970.
