In 1966 The Jimi Hendrix Experience debut as a band in France, supporting the French Yé-Yé superstar Johnny Hallyday
On October 18, 1966, they played the Olympia in Paris and were recorded for the first time
In 1966 The Jimi Hendrix Experience debut as a band in France, supporting the French Yé-Yé superstar Johnny Hallyday
Jimi Hendrix arrived in England on September 24, 1966, after his new manager, the former Animals bassist Chas Chandler had formed a backing band with bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell, where Hendrix would be the guitarist, vocalist and frontman. During that same week the band was named The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and their debut took place in Évreux, France on October 13, 1966. This was the first of four dates that are known as “The French Tour”. Between the 13 and 18 of October, The Experience played as the supporting act for Long Chris, The Blackbirds and French Yé-Yé superstar Johnny Hallyday. The final date took place in Paris, on October 18, 1966, at the famous venue Olympia, the first Experience performance ever recorded.
Though the set list for the first three dates of the tour still remains unclear, it’s thought that it included the covers “Hey Joe,” “Killing Floor” and “Land of a Thousand Dances.” On the final date at the Olympia, the band closed their set with “Wild Thing.” Soon after, the band went on to debut in the U.K, and quickly rose as one of the most popular Rock acts in the world, with its legacy and strong influence remaining untouchable and growing to this day.
Listen to the audio of The Jimi Hendrix Experience performing “Wild Thing” on their first ever recorded performance at the Olympia, Paris October 18, 1966
Watch Jimi Hendrix and the band backstage with the French singer Johnny Hallyday, the headliner of The French Tour in Nancy, France, 14 October 1966
Watch more Jimi Hendrix related videos
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