Jimi Hendrix’s Road Manager Reveals His Craziest Tour Stories | Eric Barrett

Eric Barrett watched Jimi Hendrix borrow a right-handed guitar in a nightclub, turn it upside down and play without looking. In this Facts Verse podcast interview, Hendrix’s former roadie recalls the moment that would “blow your mind” and the quiet, private man behind the stage legend.

Drawing on his memoir Experienced: On the Road with Jimi Hendrix and Beyond, Barrett shares memories of Hendrix discovering Chicago, life with Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding, and the realities of touring in the 1960s. He also discusses the pages left out of his book, responds to theories about Hendrix’s death, and recalls later work with David Bowie, Billy Joel, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Madonna.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Hendrix’s borrowed guitar
00:49 Meet Eric Barrett and Experienced
02:30 Writing the memoir and the pages left out
08:09 Luther Vandross and demanding stars
11:20 How touring worked in the 1960s
13:45 The private Jimi Hendrix
20:51 Hendrix discovers Chicago
24:14 Racism and Hendrix’s audience
27:54 Groupies and the Beatles tour
31:14 David Bowie and Hendrix’s guitar lessons
33:59 Hendrix’s guitar genius and musical future
40:58 Hendrix’s belongings and death theories
46:14 Drugs on tour and Bowie’s crew rule
50:18 Billy Joel’s backstage surprise
53:43 Stevie Ray Vaughan, Madonna and later tours

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