Jimi Hendrix’s The Cry of Love Still Echoes 55 Years Later
Fifty-five years ago this month, The Cry Of Love, the first posthumous album by American rock musician Jimi Hendrix, was released. Jimi Hendrix is regarded as not only one of the most influential Black rock musicians but one of the most influential musicians of all time.
Paving the way for other Black guitarists/musicians Prince and Lenny Kravitz, Hendrix was known for his experimental music sensibilities as well as his eccentric and flamboyant stage presence.
Released on March 8th, 1971, The Cry Of Love featured the music Hendrix was working on days before his untimely death at the age of 27.
The Seattle born musician had just established his famous Electric Lady Studios, as his foundational space for music making.
Writer Henry Yates, in his 2025 article for Guitar World, writes, “Founded by Hendrix just months before his death, Electric Lady Studios was a mind-expanding creative mothership where his guitar playing reached new heights.”
A space that to this day has birthed some of the music of the most influential artists of all time from Andre 3000 to Taylor Swift to Alicia Keys. Work on his fourth studio album commenced.
This album was crucial as it was Hendrix’s first album since the break up of his band The Jimi Hendrix Experience. This album was to be a follow up to the critical and commercial acclaim of his third album Electric Ladyland.
The double album garnered rave reviews from music critics and much was to be seen as to what would come next. The ten track album features songs such as “Freedom”, “Night Bird Flying”, and “Angel”. The former was released as the lead single and encompassed the psychedelic sound Hendrix had become known for.
What’s interesting about The Cry Of Love is that though it came after Hendrix’s death, the spirit of what made him the quintessential experimental artist he was was very present on the album.
It is this album and its predecessor, the two albums recorded at Electric Lady, that also showcases Hendrix as a producer, arranger, and sound engineer.
Today, Jimi Hendrix’s legacy stands the test of time as many of the beliefs he stood for – love, freedom, and peace – ring true across millennial and gen z audiences.
