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.