IN THE BEGINNING: ISSUE 1

Hendrix, dirt boxes, new tech: TG's launch issue shows guitarists' interests are timeless

Total Guitar debuted in December 1994 with – who else? – Jimi Hendrix on the cover. His influence on Pearl

Jam and Red Hot Chili Peppers made Jimi especially relevant as TG launched in 1994, but Hendrix has never been anything less than a natural cover star. Our Bluffer’s Guide promised to teach you to “Play your guitar upside-down and fell mountains with the edge of your hand”.

BLUFFER’S GUIDE TO HENDRIX

This feature contextualised Hendrix’s playing and early career: “After Hendrix was invalided out of the US Air Force because of a parachuting injury, he supported himself by playing with any band that would take him on. The Isley Bros, B.B. King, Ike & Tina Turner and Sam Cooke all benefited from having the young Mr Hendrix in the ranks. It’s impossible to ignore the effect that these lean years had on Hendrix. So to play like Jimi, join a band and do some work.”