This is a unique book which gives us more glimpses into Jimi Hendrix's short but impactful life and legacy. The author is a photographer and filmmaker who first met with Jimi to discuss collaborating on a film. The author ends up getting to know Jimi as well as others in his inner circle (those who had good intentions and those who did not). At first, I was put off by the recreation of conversations he had with Jimi and others because unless he recorded them, there is no way he would have recalled these in such detail. But I did not let that get in the way of my enjoyment of the book. Overall, I felt like the author (and his collaborator writer) did a great job putting us into the situations (for example, Woodstock and Electric Lady Studio's grand opening) that I felt I was there with them because the writing was very descriptive. The author has great memories of Jimi and his love and friendship shine through.

Thank you to Netgalley and Post Hill Press for an ARC and I voluntarily left this review.

This is a very personable read on the icon Jimi Hendrix, depicted as a shy and talented individual. His brilliant musicianship was always his true glory. He really wasn’t that wild and crazy person thought of by some. His warm and friendly manner seemed to rub off on everyone and it seems like everyone he met wanted to give him drugs. In this telling, he wasn’t the out of control crazy person others would want us to believe. This book is a needed and refreshing take on Jimi Hendrix. I recommend it fully, It is a terrific book and I’ve read them all on Jimi.

cheduled for release in December 2023, Jimi and Me (review from an advance reader’s copy) is a book about the late great Jimi Hendrix, but not like the biography you might be expecting. It is a close intimate look from one point of view, that of, a photographer/movie producer with almost no experience who Hendrix, after seeing a movie by this man in an art house movie theater in London, decided he wanted to make a movie with. At the time, Hendrix’s star was rising fast and he was one of the biggest stars in the world. The movie, which never got made, was thought perhaps to be a silent or wordless movie with a soundtrack by Hendrix. Stathikis became one of Hendrix’s buddies for an 18-month period until Hendrix’s death. Though the movie they discussed was never completed, this book gives us a fairly interesting look at a short period in a rock star’s life and some insights into Hendrix’s experiences in dealing with his manager, with competing communities, and the event that was Woodstock. These are, truth be told, Stathakis’ experiences, particularly going up to Woodstock at Hendrix’s request, dealing with the turmoil there and the amazing music and getting backstage in all the mayhem. While we do not get much examination of Hendrix’ musicianship and how it developed other than that he initially strung his guitar based on using a magnifying glass on an album cover and strung it upside down and played it backwards. Nevertheless, this short-period portrait of Hendrix tells us a bit about the person which we would not otherwise hear. It is well-written, captivating, and easy-to-read. It felt like a special privilege to walk through Stathakis’ shoes during this brief exciting period in his life.