Jimi Hendrix is often remembered as one of the greatest guitar players of all time. His wild solos, psychedelic sound, and unforgettable performances made him a legend. But there is another side to Hendrix that people sometimes forget — he loved listening to other artists and was always curious about new music.
Even though Hendrix had his own unique style, he paid close attention to what was happening around him. He covered Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” and even performed The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” just days after it came out. This shows that Hendrix didn’t create in isolation. He was inspired by what he heard and wasn’t afraid to try new things.
In 2018, the album Both Sides of the Sky was released, containing unreleased songs Hendrix recorded between 1968 and 1970. One of the most interesting tracks on the album is “$20 Fine.” This song was recorded in 1969 at the Record Plant studio in New York, but it stayed hidden for almost 50 years.
“$20 Fine” is special because it features Stephen Stills from Crosby, Stills & Nash. Stills sings on the track, while Hendrix plays guitar and bass. The result is a mix of folk-rock and Hendrix’s psychedelic touch. It doesn’t sound like a typical Hendrix song, but that’s exactly what makes it so fascinating.
Hendrix’s longtime engineer, Eddie Kramer, once said that the song sounds like “Crosby, Stills & Nash on acid,” with Hendrix bringing his own powerful energy into the mix. It’s a meeting point between two different musical worlds — and it works beautifully.
The song also shows how open-minded Hendrix was. He didn’t limit himself to just one style. He loved blues, rock, folk, and anything that sparked his creativity. Instead of trying to stay in his comfort zone, he explored, experimented, and pushed boundaries.
“$20 Fine” is a great example of this spirit. It proves that even though Hendrix is celebrated for his groundbreaking guitar work, he was also an artist who loved to collaborate and discover new sounds.
If you’re a Hendrix fan, or if you simply enjoy music from the late 1960s, “$20 Fine” is worth listening to. It shows a different, more relaxed and playful side of Hendrix — one that many people never got to hear during his lifetime.
In the end, the release of Both Sides of the Sky reminds us that Hendrix’s creativity was endless. Even after so many years, his music still surprises us, inspires us, and gives us a glimpse of what might have been had he lived longer.
Jimi Hendrix is often remembered as one of the greatest guitar players of all time. His wild solos, psychedelic sound, and unforgettable performances made him a legend. But there is another side to Hendrix that people sometimes forget — he loved listening to other artists and was always curious about new music.
Even though Hendrix had his own unique style, he paid close attention to what was happening around him. He covered Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” and even performed The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” just days after it came out. This shows that Hendrix didn’t create in isolation. He was inspired by what he heard and wasn’t afraid to try new things.
In 2018, the album Both Sides of the Sky was released, containing unreleased songs Hendrix recorded between 1968 and 1970. One of the most interesting tracks on the album is “$20 Fine.” This song was recorded in 1969 at the Record Plant studio in New York, but it stayed hidden for almost 50 years.
“$20 Fine” is special because it features Stephen Stills from Crosby, Stills & Nash. Stills sings on the track, while Hendrix plays guitar and bass. The result is a mix of folk-rock and Hendrix’s psychedelic touch. It doesn’t sound like a typical Hendrix song, but that’s exactly what makes it so fascinating.
Hendrix’s longtime engineer, Eddie Kramer, once said that the song sounds like “Crosby, Stills & Nash on acid,” with Hendrix bringing his own powerful energy into the mix. It’s a meeting point between two different musical worlds — and it works beautifully.
The song also shows how open-minded Hendrix was. He didn’t limit himself to just one style. He loved blues, rock, folk, and anything that sparked his creativity. Instead of trying to stay in his comfort zone, he explored, experimented, and pushed boundaries.
“$20 Fine” is a great example of this spirit. It proves that even though Hendrix is celebrated for his groundbreaking guitar work, he was also an artist who loved to collaborate and discover new sounds.
If you’re a Hendrix fan, or if you simply enjoy music from the late 1960s, “$20 Fine” is worth listening to. It shows a different, more relaxed and playful side of Hendrix — one that many people never got to hear during his lifetime.
In the end, the release of Both Sides of the Sky reminds us that Hendrix’s creativity was endless. Even after so many years, his music still surprises us, inspires us, and gives us a glimpse of what might have been had he lived longer.