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An AUTHENTIC Jimi Hendrix autograph

While browsing this website today, I noticed the number of Jimi Hendrix forgeries that seem to be floating around out there, and they are horrendous. A number of people were asking others if they could possibly authenticate their autograph, so I hope this may help in some way.

I received a Jimi Hendrix autograph on June 19, 1969 on a stairwell of Toronto's Old City Hall during a recess in Jimi's trial for heroin possession which I attended that day. Seems he was busted at Customs while entering Canada for his concert at Maple Leaf Gardens (which I also attended) in May of '69. I recall Jimi was an hour and 15 minutes late, and was actually booed when he came on stage for it. At the time, nobody knew of the troubles he had 'experienced' at the Toronto International Airport just hours earlier. He certainly made up for his lateness with an incredible display of concertship that evening.

On the day of his trial, Jimi entered the Courthouse wearing a pink headband, pink shirt, black furry vest, black leather pants, and a black fur cape which dragged behind him while he walked. I distinctly recall the Judge asking him to "show the Court some respect" by removing his headband, which he did. The lawyers were going through some paperwork with the Crown Prosecutors, so the Judge called for a short recess. Jimi walked out of the Court and sat on some stairs and lit a cigarette (yes, it was allowed in those days!) while a small group of fans gathered around to talk to him, myself included. I realized that I had nothing for him to sign, so I purchased at a Courthouse concession stand a 5 cent Kleenex pack, which at the time had a cardboard backing inside. I threw away the Kleenex, and asked him if he would sign the piece of cardboard, which he graciously did.

The one thing that stood out during that half-hour encounter in the hallway, of all things, was how beautiful and white his teeth were. Strange. He was very soft-spoken, almost shy, but he was funny, and we all shared quite a few laughs with him while he dragged away on his Kent cigarettes. A nice guy, and a perfect gentleman.

Only years later did I realize that I had nobody but my buddy Steve, who was also there that day, who could verify the authentication of my autograph. I recall he told me years later when I asked if he still had his autograph, him telling me "no, I gave it to some chick for her birthday" and that he was still kicking his ass to this very day for doing so. He said if I ever needed him to verify it with an affidavit, he would.

Funny enough, two decades later, I spotted a story on a local paper's website about his Court trial in 1969. At the end of the piece, there was a link that said 'click here to view pictures of that day', which I did. Here was a slew of pics taken inside the Old City Hall that day by a photographer from the Toronto Star newspaper, and in the very first picture sat 'yours truly' directly behind Jimi in the Courtroom!! Unbelievable! I now had my authentication. I called the Star and they said I could purchase the pics by coming to their offices, and I would have purchased several more except for the fact that they were very pricey. However, I did score a few of them, and nice ones too I might add.

I just wanted to post a picture of the autograph which I got that day so that it could be compared to any fakes that someone may have been unfortunate enough to receive.. Although this has faded over the years from being tucked away in an envelope, it indeed is an authentic Hendrix.

And by the way, Jimi was acquitted on the heroin possession charge due to the fact the the Crown could not disprove Jimi's claim that the drugs had been placed in his travel bag by a fan, and of which he knew nothing about.

Justice prevailed in Jimi's case that day.

And just further, this autograph is dedicated to my son, and is not for sale.

Lucky kid.

Peace out.

1 member likes this

Comment by BallroomDays67 on April 25, 2012 at 10:38am: Great post and autograph! Thanks for sharing a pic.

Comment by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on April 25, 2012 at 11:29am: Ditto what Ballroom said. Thanks

Comment by The Doog on April 25, 2012 at 8:28pm: .

No prob.

.

Comment by Marvin Thompson on April 27, 2012 at 3:03pm: Wonder if anyone knows if this is a reliable site for information about Jimi's autograph

www.autographelephant.com

I met Jimi afew times up in Nashville when he was still Jimmy. He wasn't shy about trading musical ideas and showin that he could do it better than every one else.

Comment by Marvin Thompson on April 28, 2012 at 1:34pm: Has the photo at the top of this thread been takin at an angle?
Did Jimmy add adot to the i of his last name?
Is that how you tell?
I may be to old for this stuff.

Comment by Brad on April 28, 2012 at 5:32pm: WOW DOOG GREAT STORY! Great post indeed! Man wish I could have met Jimi u were in the right place at the right time sweet auto your son is a lucky kid! Here is a pic of my Jimi and experience auto unfortunately I didnt get it in person tho it is authenticated by psa/dna

Comment by The Doog on May 1, 2012 at 8:44am: Brad ...... NICE, buddy! That's like a DREAM autograph! That's a keeper, for sure. You scored, big time!

Yes, I was in the right place at the right time for sure. It certainly was an honour to meet him.

Funny, you tell the kids today the story and they absolutely FREAK. Then you tell them that the "first" time that you ever saw Led Zeppelin, the ticket price was $6.00. And that it was at a bar on Yonge St.! They absolutely lose it! ...... "You SAW Led Zeppelin???" ..... Just before they disbanded, they played a show at Toronto's O'Keefe Centre one Sunday evening. A buddy and me went down on the afternoon of the show and got a pair of seats ..... Row 'L' Centre Floor .... 10 bucks. We actually couldn't believe it ourselves, but it happened. What are the chances of that ever happening today, Brad? LOL.

   Was very fortunate to grow up in an era of such great musicians and bands, and living in Toronto, we were in a main market, so we saw all the shows. Fantastic.

   The one time I saw Steppenwolf was at a high school dance! Ticket: 5 bucks. Don't know if you remember a band called McKenna Mendelson Mainline (search YouTube) but saw them at the same school, just a different dance. They were a big part of Totonto local music history. Unreal.

   Times have changed, Brad.

   Thanks for the comments, and look after that auto, eh! ...... you lucky dude.

    And Marvin .... yes, the pic was taken on an angle so I wouldn't have a "flashback"   ;0)

.

Comment by Brad on May 1, 2012 at 6:54pm: Thanks Doog!! You got me beat man u actually stood toe to toe with my idol lol thats a dream my friend!!! Music will never be as good as it was back then! Or as cheap!!

Comment by Marvin Thompson on May 8, 2012 at 3:05pm

I think that I have found an example of a Jimi Hendrix autograph that shows what an idiot that guy over at www.autographelephant.com is! on the left (on old brown paper) is an autograph that was put up on EBAY by UACC Dealer #204, on the right (white page) is one that is claimed genuine by the elephant man. Who U gonna trust? a UACC dealer or an elephant man. The UACC one has got to be good, Right? Busted Elephant Man!!!

Obviously both are not genuine. I'll trust a UACC dealer over some uneducated hack any day!

****PLEASE NOTE****

This item is currently being bespoke framed, with a stunning 12x8 black and white image of Hendrix on stage,

along with two smaller black and white images to make a stunning montage

framed together with the signed album page.

an image of the item framed will be updated on eBay on the 2nd March

11 x 8 cm scrape book page very good condition signed by Jimmy Hendrix

Adds E.X/P. to his signature,

Part of a private collection being sold by us on ebay.

We are selling this item on behalf of a customer looking for a quick sale hence what i believe to be a very low price.

For more details on this item please feel free to ring me direct on Tel: 01268 581200 please ask for Marc.

This item very good condition and comes complete with our life time guarantee AFTALs Authenticateit Certificate of Authenticity.

About us (Sport and Star Autographs/Authenticate-it)

Sport and Star autographs/Authenticate-it was the development of a private collection and love of a hobby spanning many years.

We opened our first shop in 1998 and have moved to three different locations due to the need for expansion because of our success. We also have a store in London Liverpool street and together through the years we have gradually grown and become one of the most well respected memorabilia and autograph dealers in the country.

Our company has been in the public eye on many occasions due to our business partnership with Steve Tilson Southend United manager and the awards that we have picked up over the years including the Basildon District Business awards for Growing Business of the Year and the prestigious ‘Spirit of Ingenuity award.

We stock 1000’s of Vintage and Modern autographs from the world of Film/TV, Music, Sport and history.

Sport and Star Autographs/Authenticate-it are the founders of AFTAL Autographs Fair Trade Association. AFTAL is run by the UK's best autograph dealers and in person collectors. our objective is to help to stamp out fake autographs within our industry. For more information please view our About Me page. We are UACC Registered Dealers 204 and AFTAL Approved Dealers 004

Comment by BallroomDays67 on May 8, 2012 at 3:29pm: He's far from an idiot, and I believe he's absolutely correct about the one on the right being the authentic one. Also, the seller of the one on the left has ended the eBay listing.

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