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The Jimi Hendrix song David Gilmour said is one of his favorites
The guitarist and singer David Gilmour joined Pink Floyd by the end of 1967 and in the following years became a crucial part of the band’s sound, being the perfect match with Roger Waters’ songwriting and the contributions of Richard Wright and Nick Mason. Although he was the vocalist on many famous Pink Floyd songs he is first remembered as a guitar player, because of his incredible tone and feel when he plays the instrument.
So he always appears in lists of the greatest guitar players in history alongside, for example, Jimi Hendrix, a musician he deeply admires. He loves the discography of the late American musician but there is one song that is one of his favorites.
The Jimi Hendrix song David Gilmour said is one of his favorites
David Gilmour is a fan of Jimi Hendrix since before he was “THE” Jimi Hendrix, because he had the chance to see the musician playing in a small club back in 1966, when he was still a sideman for Brian Auger. It was when he recalled this story that he said that “The Wind Cries Mary” is one of his favorite songs by the late legendary guitarist and singer. “Jimi Hendrix, fantastic. I went to a club in south Kensington in 1966. This kid got on stage with Brian Auger and the Trinity. (He started to play) the guitar with the other way around (upside down) and satarted playing. Myself and the whole place was with their jaws hanging open.”
“I went to the next day to record shops. I said ‘You’ve got anything by this guy Jimi Hendrix?’ They said ‘Well, we’ve got a James Hendrix’. He hadn’t yet done anything. So I became rather an avid fan waiting for his first release. Also this is one of his beautiful ballads that I really love,” David Gilmour said on “Tracks Of My Years” in 2006 (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage).
Released by Jimi as a single in 1967, “The Wind Cries Mary” is one of his most famous songs. He wrote the track as a reconciliatory love song for his girlfriend Kathy Mary Etchingham. At the time the single peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles chart.
His favorite Hendrix album is “Electric Ladyland”
During his short career, Hendrix released only three studio albums and one live record. But that was enough to change the course of Rock and Roll music. It’s not easy for fans to choose which is their favorite album from his discography. But David Gilmour once said “Electric Ladyland” (1968) is one of his favorite records of all time.
He mentioned that album to Guitar Tricks Insider magazine back in 2017. Released in 1968, two years before the musician tragically died at the age of 27, the album had many famous songs. Some of them are: “Crosstown Traffic”, Voodoo Chile”, “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” and “All Along The Watchtower”.
When the record was released, it peaked at number 1 in the United States charts. Then stayed at the top for two weeks. It was his most successful record and the only one to top the charts.
The Pink Floyd guitarist had the chance to pay tribute to Jimi during the Live Amnesty International’s Big 30 in 1991. He performed the classic “Hey Joe” with Seal on vocals.
