On This Day in 1970: Jimi Hendrix Sat Down for His Last Interview and Spoke About Exhaustion in the Band

A Final Conversation in London

On September 11, 1970, Jimi Hendrix granted what would become his last interview. Sitting in his suite at the Cumberland Hotel in London, Hendrix spoke with Keith Altham, a journalist from the British weekly music paper Record Mirror. Just one week later, the groundbreaking guitarist would pass away, making this conversation a striking glimpse into his state of mind during his final days.

Hendrix discussed the challenges of constant touring and recording, revealing that the intense pace had taken a toll on both himself and his bandmates. “Billy Cox is leaving the band,” Hendrix confirmed, explaining that his bassist was struggling with exhaustion. The remark highlighted the heavy demands placed on the group, which had been performing and traveling without much rest.

 

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Hendrix on Fatigue and the Road Ahead

During the interview, Hendrix acknowledged feeling the same strain that affected Cox. The guitarist had been pushing through an unrelenting schedule of shows, studio sessions, and press appearances. He admitted that the pressure of maintaining such a career was beginning to weigh on him, saying he too was dealing with exhaustion.

Despite his fatigue, Hendrix still looked toward the future, mentioning plans for new music and different directions for the band. Yet his words also carried a quiet honesty about the limits of nonstop work and the need to slow down. The conversation revealed an artist aware of his own vulnerability at a time when his influence on rock music was unmatched.

Listen to Jimi Hendrix final interview below:

A Glimpse into History

That meeting between Jimi Hendrix and Keith Altham remains a significant moment for music fans and historians. It captured Hendrix reflecting on the physical and mental demands of fame, just days before his life came to an end. The Cumberland Hotel interview stands as the last time Hendrix shared his thoughts publicly, leaving behind a record of his concerns about health and the well-being of those around him.

In that London hotel room, Hendrix’s words offered a rare, candid look at an artist worn down by success but still driven by a love of music, even as exhaustion shadowed both him and his band.