John Lennon and Paul McCartney attend a Who / Jimi Hendrix concert

About

On this day, Paul McCartney and John Lennon attended a double bill of The Who and The Jimi Hendrix Experience, at the Saville Theatre (owned by The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein). Among the other attendees were Klaus Voorman, Eric Clapton, Lulu, Jack Bruce…

Paul McCartney had seen the Jimi Hendrix Experience on October 25, November 25, 1966, and January 11, 1967, and saw them again on June 4, 1967.

Jimi played this gig that was just blinding. I don’t think Jack (Bruce) had really taken him in before. I knew what the guy was capable of from the minute I met him. It was the complete embodiment of the different aspects of rock’n’roll guitar rolled up into one. When Jack did see it that night, after the gig he went home and came up with the riff (‘Sunshine Of Your Love’). It was strictly a dedication to Jimi. And then we wrote a song on top of it.

Eric Clapton – From “Eyewitness: Jimi Hendrix” by Johnny Black, 2004

We were invited to some party afterwards. I had my motor, so I took Mitch and Hendrix, and we arrived at this place near the Irish Embassy. I knocked on the door and Paul McCartney opened it, which freaked me out yet again. We went upstairs and they had a professional joint-roller there as well.

Noel Redding – Bassist of The Jimi Hendrix Experience – From “Eyewitness: Jimi Hendrix” by Johnny Black, 2004

The speed of our progress made it difficult for us to adjust to our new status. Invited to an after-gig party, I was overwhelmed when Paul opened the door of Epstein’s star-filled home. I spent most of the night just watching people and marvelling that I was there. As we became famous, people began to hassle me, sometimes heavily, for money. I was regularly asked to guarantee loans, make investments, give handouts. Sometimes I was able to help friends, but mostly I didn’t have what was wanted, and I was glad to escape the viciousness that followed some refusals.

Noel Redding – From “Are you experienced? : the inside story of the Jimi Hendrix Experience” by Noel Redding, 1996

A host of stars turned out for Jimi Hendrix and the Who at the Saville on Sunday, including Steve Marriott, Lennon and McCartney, Spencer Davis, Michael D’Abo, Klaus Voorman, Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Lulu and Terence Stamp.

From Melody Maker – February 4, 1967

On Sunday, Beatles John and Paul joined Epstein in his box at London’s Saville Theatre to watch the Jimi Hendrix Experience and the Who.

From Disc And Music Echo – February 4, 1967

Last updated on December 23, 2023