# Jimi Hendrix postage stamp is being issued. Good idea or not? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 14, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700 "2014-03-14T16:44:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![randompattern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@randompattern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randompattern)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/61 "2014-03-16T00:11:46Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > [THE number one greatest](http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time-19691231/jimi-hendrix-20101202) I agree Hendrix was one of if not THE greatest of all time. I can’t agree with the rest of this list though. Jeff Beck #14? C’mon. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/62 "2014-03-16T00:29:38Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > I’m goin’ down to lick my ol’ lady Caught her messin’ around with the mail delivery man… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/63 "2014-03-16T00:51:56Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > [Take a look at the list of people who’ve been on postage stamps and tell me why not Hendrix.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_on_stamps_of_the_United_States) He used drugs? So did plenty of other people who’ve already been on stamps, including lots of musicians. We voted not on _whether_ Elvis should get a stamp, but on _how fat_ he should look. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/64 "2014-03-16T01:02:47Z")
What’s the question anyway? 1. Was the USPS right in issuing a stamp commemorating a revered American musician? or B. Does Jimi Hendrix deserve a postage stamp? My answer for either question is “Why not?” It’s not like they’re replacing the National Seal with an image of Jimi. They’re not replacing that olive branch clasped in one of the American Eagle’s talons with a Strat. It’s just a stamp that they’ll stop issuing 3 or 4 months after it comes out. It’s not a big deal. I don’t think Jimi inspired Clapton to play a Telecaster. There are clips available on YouTube where Eric is playing a Telecaster with the Yardbirds. Stevie Winwood, during the Blind Faith days, turned Eric on to Stratocasters. At least, that’s what EC said in his autobiography. As for the Hendrix, Pepsi commercial, [here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx08gQ3XyQM) it is. At the beginning, the super says “1953”. Of course it would have been a Tele in the window because Fender didn’t release the Strat until 1954. I’ve never seen photos of Jimi playing a LP. A Flying V, yes, but no other Gibsons. Was the LP a flipped over rightie or a lefty? It always struck me that of the major brand solid body electrics of his era, a Strat would be the easiest to convert from right handed to lefty compatible. And, at that time, lefty guitars weren’t all that available at any guitar shop. The intonation adjustment on a Gibson Tun-o-matic bridge don’t strike me as variable enough to set up for other handed play, unless you pull it, redrill the mounting holes, and re-install it mounted the other way. I’ve long thought that of what was commonly available then and double cutaway, the strat was his best choice. The Fender synchronized vibrato tailpiece was better than a Bixby or those Gibson brand ones, the bridge didn’t need to be removed for left handed play, and the Gibson SG was poorly balanced (quite neck heavy). The only hard thing to convert a Strat that you wouldn’t have to do to an SG was move the strap button. And that takes 3 minutes with a screwdriver, an electric drill, and the proper sized drill bit to fix. I never bought into the myth that was going around in his time, however, that he preferred the Strat because of it’s sound. I still think that it was playing his guitar through a FuzzFace/Big Muff/Small Stone/Wah Wah Pedal (regardless of what the Jim Dunlop co. says, I saw him use a Vox, but no matter)/Univibe/Octavia is what made his unique sound. Doesn’t matter what pickups were on the guitar. Oh, and I think the longer Fender scale was a better fit for his long fingers. He was playing Fenders long before he fronted the Experience. Though I don’t doubt after he established himself and had the $$ he didn’t order some factory left handed Gibsons to try. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/65 "2014-03-16T01:27:36Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > I’ve never seen photos of Jimi playing a LP. A Flying V, yes, but no other Gibsons. I have seen at least one picture of Hendrix playing a Les Paul onstage (a right-handed instrument flipped over); he also sometimes played an SG. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/66 "2014-03-16T01:41:35Z")
I posted a link to a pic of him playing an LP Custom in post #41… ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/67 "2014-03-16T01:44:04Z")
I’m one of the older members of the SDMB and I’m surprised to read some of the younger “kids” stating that Jimi Hendrix was not legendary; not the world’s greatest guitar player; not a major influence on rock music, etc. Back in the summer of 1967, I had been playing guitar (electric of course) for about 6 months. At that time, “Purple Haze” was released and I was totally amazed at what that guy was doing. He _seriously_ changed the direction of rock and roll music. Is it all right to have a US Postage stamp honoring Jimi Hedrix?\*\*\* Damned right !!!\*\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/68 "2014-03-16T03:20:13Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > I have seen at least one picture of Hendrix playing a Les Paul onstage (a right-handed instrument flipped over); he also sometimes played an SG. I’m sure he played them all, but I still submit the Strat was his “go to” guitar. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/69 "2014-03-16T04:14:48Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > I’m sure he played them all, but I still submit the Strat was his “go to” guitar. It was, without question. **Wordman** , our resident guitar guru that linked to the pic of Jimi playing a Les Paul, stated as much. There’s no question that the Strat was Hendrix’s preferred guitar. None. ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/70 "2014-03-16T04:46:03Z")
Well in Canada both [Paul Anka](http://i.colnect.net/images/f/767/236/Paul-Anka.jpg) and [Bryan Adams](http://www.robertlpeters.com/news2013/wp-content/uploads/bryan_adams_stamp_pc.jpg) have been the subject of stamps. I think it’s safe to say Hendrix had way more impact on popular music than either of these guys. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/71 "2014-03-16T04:48:05Z")
> [@For You](#): > > … for, amongst other things, one of the most famous mondegreens of all time. Jimi even sang “'Scuse me while I kiss this guy” on occasion. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/72 "2014-03-16T05:46:29Z")
> [@wolf\_meister](#): > > I’m one of the older members of the SDMB and I’m surprised to read some of the younger “kids” stating that Jimi Hendrix was not legendary; not the world’s greatest guitar player; not a major influence on rock music, etc. Are you talking about anyone in this thread? The only person who has posted and suggested that Hendrix is not a legend is the OP. And as far as I know he is not a kid (I’m guessing he was born in 1957). ---
**Author:** ![enomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/59ef9b/32.png) [@enomaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enomaj)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/73 "2014-03-16T08:15:51Z")
Any word on whether the stamps come encased in plaster? ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/74 "2014-03-16T09:34:07Z")
Personally I prefer lots of other guitarists to Hendrix but a few years ago I heard an interview with Richard Tognetti that demonstrates how influential Hendrix is. Tognetti is head of the Australian Chamber Orchestra and is its violin soloist. He did the music for Master and Commander and taught Russell Crowe violin for his role. Near the end of the interview he was asked who his greatest influences where and he answered, “Well Jimi Hendrix for fingering technique of course…” in a manner that made it seem obvious. I can’t imagine any other guitarist being cited in that manner. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/75 "2014-03-16T21:47:10Z")
He was an American musical icon. He certainly deserves to be on a U.S. postage stamp. ---
**Author:** ![Jetblast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/71c47a/32.png) [@Jetblast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jetblast)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/76 "2014-04-05T20:05:18Z")
The art Gutierrez did is deliberately reminiscent of Mexican high-end abstract art of which there is a famous school if you do a little research. I’m ambivalent about the stamp because while it does do righteous tribute to Jimi it does it in a way that is slightly demeaning by being a cartoon. It reminds me of a cross between Mexican church icons and MAD Magazine. It also slights Jimi by reducing him to the superficial medium of psychedelia. The reason I’m ambivalent is because Jimi was able to do magic things within the pychedelic medium. My main complaint is that Jimi himself voiced a serious message that went far beyond the superficial trimmings of wavy, spiraling psychedelia. If I had my choice a more respectful photo-based graphic portrait of that deep Jimi staring back at you would be my selection. In my opinion by presenting Jimi in the psychedelic medium the Post Office people are avoiding Jimi’s serious political/spiritual side. Gutierrez was probably chosen in order to let a minority artist portray a minority musician. The Post Office probably saved money by hiring him. ``` On the other hand this artwork deserves credit and would be excellent wall art, just maybe not the first choice for a stamp. It grows on you and there is a sort of mojo in motion in the picture which is appropriate to the "VooDoo Chile". Though probably not the intention of the artist, there's something about the piss-yellow tone and muddy swirling mess I don't like, yet at the same time it is high quality art. Eh, it's better than nothing I guess and Jimi finally got his tribute. Aceplace57 seems bent on reducing Jimi to his drug use. Yeah, Jimi did as much drugs as the Stones and other famous 60's musicians and it probably wasn't something to be proud of, however drugs had nothing to do with his death. He was murdered under the COINTELPRO Program and covered-up. People like to troll Jimi's murder but the facts are there for anybody seriously looking for them. ``` ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/77 "2014-04-05T20:10:30Z")
> [@Jetblast](#): > > He was murdered under the COINTELPRO Program and covered-up. People like to troll Jimi’s murder but the facts are there for anybody seriously looking for them. I’m going to go ahead you to stop posting this stuff so you don’t hijack the thread. Which also means other posters are instructed not to respond to these statements. ---
**Author:** ![Jetblast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/71c47a/32.png) [@Jetblast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jetblast)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/78 "2014-04-05T20:14:37Z")
I believe it is on-topic because the original poster involved discussion of Jimi’s drug use having something to do with his death which in turn was used to question Jimi’s qualification for eligibility for a stamp. Respectfully, is there a place where we can openly discuss the moderator reaction to the topic? This is a discussion site isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/79 "2014-04-05T20:15:50Z")
This discussion is about the postage stamp. If you want to discuss moderation, you can open a thread in ATMB. ---
**Author:** ![Jetblast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/71c47a/32.png) [@Jetblast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jetblast)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2014, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700/80 "2014-04-05T20:18:02Z")
OK, but aceplace57 wrote: > [@](#): > > Except his drug use was out of control and he died. ``` So the context was eligibility because of drug use and manner of death. ``` [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimi-hendrix-postage-stamp-is-being-issued-good-idea-or-not/683700.md?page=5)