Editor's note: This is the first in an occasional series shining a spotlight on pieces of ASU's past.
Tucked between the Memorial Union and the Computing Commons is a hidden piece of the Tempe campus’ history.
Fifty years ago, Physical Education Building West was known as the Sun Devil Gym and was the main basketball and gymnastics facility. But for one evening in February, it hosted the Jimi Hendrix Experience in front of a crowd of 3,000 fans.
Video by Ken Fagan/ASU Now
“Hendrix rocked this house with his wailing guitar and his feedback and distortion,” said University Archivist Rob Spindler. “… Hendrix was known as an acrobatic guitar player, playing behind his head, between his legs — even burning his guitar at the Monterey Pop Festival the year before.”
Hendrix warmed up in the locker room beforehand and sported a Native American choker, Afghan-style coat, bell-bottoms and his signature hat. He played a white-and-rosewood Fender Stratocaster.
“To see Hendrix in this small gym, in such close quarters must have been incredible! Unfortunately, the play list has long been lost,” said Spindler, who is known to rock out on guitar himself.
As one State Press reporter put it, “It was a good Experience.”
Top photo: Jimi Hendrix warmed up his Fender Stratocaster in the ASU locker room with actor Pat McMahon on Feb. 5, 1968. Photo courtesy of TJ Franklink Photography
More Arts, humanities and education
ASU student finds connection to his family's history in dance archives
First-year graduate student Garrett Keeto was visiting the Cross-Cultural Dance Resources Collections at Arizona State University as part of a course project when he discovered something unexpected:…
ASU alumna makes her way back to the ASU Gammage stage for '¡azúcar!'
As the Los Angeles-based CONTRA-TIEMPO dance group prepares for its upcoming production “¡azúcar!” at ASU Gammage, for one member of the dance group it is also a nostalgic return to her home.Born in…
ASU FIDM professor wins international award for fantastical, sustainable creation
The horror of an ailing Earth inspired an Arizona State University fashion professor to create a fantastical garment out of sustainable, re-used and found materials that won a prestigious…