Starting At Zero: His Own Story

It did not take long after Jimi Hendrix's death for the artist to become a myth of music. He has been surrounded by a shroud of intrigue since he first came into the public eye, and that mystery has only deepened with time. Much has been written and said about him by experts, fans, and critics, some of it true and some not; Starting at Zero aims to set the record straight. This is Hendrix in his own words.

The lyricism and rhythm of Jimi Hendrix's writing will come as no surprise to his fans. Hendrix wrote prolifically throughout his life, leaving behind a trove of scribbled-on hotel stationery, napkins, and cigarette cartons. Starting at Zero seamlessly weaves these scraps and bits together with interviews and lyrics, revealing for the first time a continuous narrative of the artist's life, from birth through to his final four years. The result is a beautifully poetic, charming, and passionate memoir as smooth and memorable as Hendrix's finest songs.

The pieces of Starting at Zero largely came together due to the inspiration of Alan Douglas. Douglas first met Jimi Hendrix backstage at Woodstock and soon after became Hendrix's producer and close friend. In creating the book, he joined forces with Peter Neal, who edited Hendrix's writing with the reverence and light touch it deserved.