Band of Gypsys (band)

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Band of Gypsys
Also known asThe Band of Gypsys
OriginUnited States
GenresRock
Years active1969 - 1970
LabelsReprise records, Polydor Records
Past membersJimi Hendrix
Billy Cox
Buddy Miles

Band of Gypsys was a short-lived rock trio led by Jimi Hendrix. The group represented a new musical direction that he was taking.

Background

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The band was composed of Jimi Hendrix, Billy Cox and Buddy Miles. The band represented a new musical direction for Jimi Hendrix.[1] Another new thing was that Hendrix was now in all-black musical ensemble.[2] It's likely that Michael Jeffery, Hendrix's manager played a part in the ensemble's demise.[3]

The Band of Gypsys album that was released was actually an obligation fulfillment. Hendrix had to give Capitol Records an album to resolve a legal issue stemming from his 1965 contract with Ed Chalpin.[4]

Career

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The group made their live debut at the Fillmore East on New Years Eve 1969. This was the first of the two-night, four-show appearances that they were booked for.[5] The band hadn't yet made a record. They started the show off with "Power of Soul". The next song was "Lover Man" and was followed by "Hear My Train A Comin'". The music was a combination of R&B, rock, and some jazz. The audience was surprised at this music they were playing, and according to Billy Cox, the audience was amazed. Some had their mouths open.[6]

They faced major problems. One of them was Mike Jeffrey's dislike for Buddy Miles and his desire to get the Jimi Hendrix Experience back together. Another problem was Hendrix's drug use.

The Band of Gypsys played their last concert at the Winter Festival for Peace at Madison Square Garden on 28 January 1970. The show was a disaster with Hendrix messing up on "Who Knows" and leaving the stage. Buddy Miles accused Jeffrey of slipping in acid tabs to sabotage the show.[7] Miles was then fired by Jeffrey.[8]

Three months after the shows, an album Band of Gypsys was released in the United States, where it peaked at No. 5 on the charts.[9]

Later years

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In 1984, Buddy Miles got together with Tommy Saunders and Hendrix tribute artist, Randy Hansen at the Kabuki Theater in San Francisco. Using material from the Band of Gypsys album, they performed "Machine Gun", "Message of Love", and "Who Knows". Other Hendrix songs were, "Manic Depression", "Spanish Castle Magic", "Little Wing", "Castles Made of Sand", "Hey Joe", "Fire", "Red House", "All Along the Watchtower", "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Purple Haze". They finished off with Miles' own song, an eleven-minute version of "Them Changes". The show was broadcast at the time on radio station, KQRQ-FM.[10][11]

It was reported by Billboard in 2003 that Buddy Miles was suing the estate of Jimi Hendrix over unpaid royalties. Miles stated that he had hardly received any money for his work with the band nearly thirty years prior.[12]

In 2004, Miles and Cox reunited and with guest artists, they recorded material that would appear on the 2006 album, The Band of Gypsys Return.[13][14]

In June 2013, Billy Cox, the sole surviving Band of Gypsys member embarked on a tour, paying tribute to Hendrix. The four-piece ensemble included two guitarists, Dani Robinson and Byron Bordeaux.[15]

In 2018, a two-CD album, Return of the Band of Gypsys, San Francisco '84 was released. It was a recording of Buddy Miles. Billy Cox and Randy Hanson in concert at the Kabuki Theater in San Francisco. The two-CD album that was released in 2018 included an interview with Buddy Miles and another with Al Hendrix.[16]

Discograpy

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Singles

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  • "Stepping Stone" / "Izabella" - 1970 (Credited to Hendrix Band of Gypsys)
  • "Changes" / "Message to Love" - 1970 Credited to Hendrix Band of Gypsys)

Albums

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Other projects

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Further reading

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References

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  1. ^ Gulf News, September 15, 2018 - ENTERTAINMENT, Jimi Hendrix single hits Billboard No 1 spot
  2. ^ Beyond Chron, February 29, 2008 - The Mind and Changes of Buddy Miles, 1945-2008 by E. "Doc" Smith
  3. ^ Louder Sound, 31 December 2023 - "I don't want to be a clown any more. I don't want to be a rock'n'roll star": The radical rebirth of Jimi Hendrix and his Band Of Gypsys By Bill DeMain
  4. ^ Ultimate Classic Rock, March 25, 2016 - How Jimi Hendrix Turned Away From Psychedelia on ‘Band of Gypsys’ - Greg Renoff
  5. ^ Live for Live Music, September 18th, 2025 - Remembering Band Of Gypsys, Jimi Hendrix’s Final Act, On The Anniversary Of His Death (Full Documentary) - Andrew O'Brien
  6. ^ Goldmine, February 6, 2020 - FEATURES, How Jimi Hendrix created the power behind Band of Gypsys
  7. ^ Louder Sound, 31 December 2023 - "I don't want to be a clown any more. I don't want to be a rock'n'roll star": The radical rebirth of Jimi Hendrix and his Band Of Gypsys By Bill DeMain
  8. ^ Beyond Chron, February 29, 2008 - The Mind and Changes of Buddy Miles, 1945-2008 by E. "Doc" Smith
  9. ^ Goldmine, February 6, 2020 - FEATURES, How Jimi Hendrix created the power behind Band of Gypsys
  10. ^ Papermoon - Return Of The Band Of Gypsys - San Francisco ´84
  11. ^ Amazon.co.uk - Kabuki Theatre San Francisco Dec 27th 1984
  12. ^ Billboard, 10/22/2003 - MUSIC NEWS, Buddy Miles Sues Hendrix Estate
  13. ^ Blabbermouth, May 12, 2006 – JIMI HENDRIX Sidemen Return With New BAND OF GYPSYS Album
  14. ^ The Boston Phoenix, July 5, 2006 – Billy Cox and Buddy Miles, The Band of Gypsys Return | Experience Hendrix By TED DROZDOWSKI
  15. ^ No Treble, Wednesday, June 5th, 2013 - Billy Cox and The Band of Gypsys Experience Announce Tour Dates
  16. ^ Papermoon - Return Of The Band Of Gypsys - San Francisco ´84
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