Jimi Hendrix quoted Rory Gallagher as Best ~ A Reference

Hi

Is there any footage from Hendrix saying this?

Eric

Hi Pebbles and Welcome, I myself always thought that this was a bit of a myth & made-up quote by Jimi. Yet as I say on OP as Fresh Evidence that there is a reference now for it to have been said on The Mike Douglas Show?

Is this a US show like The Dick Cavett Show? Or what?

Hi there, ... Re The Hendrix Quote- Jimi was asked on the Dick Cavette show "you're considered to be the greatest guitarist in the world", and Hendrix's reply?  (under his breath, oh no not again) "How 'bout one of the best sitting in this chair?"  (@4.29)



 I could not find such a reference on record for Mike Douglas.

I also heard a clip where a music instructor said Hendrix said that about Bruce Cockburn. And on and on.

This particular quote has been making the rounds for decades, and there is no actual recording of it.  And it has been the source of many a lively, sometimes heated argument among Rory friends and fans ever since.

I am of the opinion that there is no proof that Hendrix ever said it, but that he very well could have.  

Here is the context in which I heard.  Rory and Taste performed at the Isle of Wight, they played early on, and got several encores.  They were not scheduled to be videoed, but there was a pro film crew on hand, and they rolled with it, and the rest, they say, is history.  Rory's performance at Isle of Wight is now available on DVD (Thank you Daniel Gallagher for working to get that amazing performance released).  My point is, Rory put on an amazing show that day.

Jimi Hendrix played the last night of the same festival.  Where Rory put on an amazing show (Taste was in the process of breaking up, and the tension, IMHO, made the performance electrifying)  Jimi was exhausted, and reports after the show indicated that he was not happy with his performance.  

I heard the quote came after the Isle of Wight performance.  Rory had made quite an impression days earlier, and the buzz was still out about how outstanding it was.  Surely Jimi had heard the buzz.  I don't think he heard Rory's playing that day, but they each had seen the other play in their respective circles.  By all accounts Rory and Jimi respected and highly regarded the other.

So, Jimi, upon leaving the stage, and after a performance that he himself was not happy with, was surrounded by the usual hangers-on, reporters, fans, etc.  He was unhappy with his performance, and was aware of what had gone before.

How I heard it- 
Anonymous inquiry, "So, how does it feel to be the greatest guitarist in the world?"  
Jimi, "I don't know, why don't you ask Rory Gallagher?"

In context, it seems plausible.  Jimi was exhausted.  He was also very humble and gracious.  Much like Rory.  Did he say it?  I think he did.

Jimi, Isle of Wight, 1970  


Rory, Isle of Wight, 1970






 

a quick google search of terms Mike Douglas Jimi Hendrix brought this:


1037theloon.com/rory-gallagher-the-man-jimi-hendrix-called-the-best-guitarist/

A caveat:  I don't know the source, and anything can be posted on the internet, doesn't mean it's true.  

And Snopes even weighed in on the topic:

(they cover the subject broadly, but they do mention the Rory quote)  Did Hendrix say it?  He may well have.  Is it on tape?  If it was, it would have been posted by now.   


www.snopes.com/fact-check/eric-clapton-quote-about-prince/