On This Day in 1970: Jimi Hendrix Took the Stage for His Final U.K. Performance at the Isle of Wight Festival, Just Weeks Before His Death

A Historic Weekend in Music

On August 26, 1970, Jimi Hendrix took to the stage at the Isle of Wight Festival for what would be his final full live performance in the United Kingdom. This five-day event, held at Afton Down, brought together a massive crowd and featured legends like Bob Dylan, The Doors, The Who, and Joni Mitchell.

The festival brought together some of the biggest names of the time and drew a crowd of about 600,000 to 700,000 people—more than the entire population of the island.

 

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Hendrix’s Final U.K. Show

Hendrix’s appearance marked his official farewell to U.K. stages. He first performed in England 18 months earlier but ended with this final set at Isle of Wight, making it historically significant.

A live album, Isle of Wight, was released in 1971 documenting parts of that final show on August 31, just three weeks before his death on September 18.

Recording the Moment

In 1991, a fuller version of the final U.K. performance was released as Live Isle of Wight ’70. This album captured iconic renditions such as “Voodoo Chile” and a dramatic 12-minute version of “Machine Gun,” complete with live interference on stage.

Later, the complete set was released in Blue Wild Angel: Live at the Isle of Wight in 2002, offering fans a complete record of Hendrix’s last U.K. performance.

Festival Challenges and Legacy

The Isle of Wight Festival of 1970 was one of the “largest human gatherings in the world,” surpassing even Woodstock in attendance. It featured over 50 performers and inspired new licensing laws in the U.K. for large public events.

Director Murray Lerner filmed the event for what would later become the documentary Message to Love: The Isle of Wight Festival. The film captured not only the performances but also the chaos of the weekend—including crowd trouble, ticket issues, and the historic atmosphere of the final festival on the island for decades.