Spanish Castle Magic

[Jonathan E.]

In order to avoid cluttering up Charlie's in memorium topic with minutiae:

http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=3826

Long before my time around here — and not really in Seattle, rather in one of those "unincorporated" areas where there's no local law enforcement. Today, I think it's called the Interurban Area, signposted that way from the freeway on the way to SeaTac airport, full of businesses that cater to truckers and the other infrastructure gristle of the modern world, railway sidings, fast food and the like, and even a good place by the Duwamish River to buy garden sculptures (or rather cast-concrete decorations for the great outdoors).

[Adam Blake]

Now why did I think it was a nightclub in Hackensack, New Jersey?? That must have been something else entirely!

[Jonathan E.]

But now we wonder what!

That whole Spanish Castle story was rather interesting. Probably needless to say, Seattle is very proud of Hendrix. Unfortunately, that has included putting up the ugliest statue ever in a spot with no discernible significance to his life. Funny place, Seattle.

[Adam Blake]

I believe it is the location for the HQ of 'Experience Hendrix' run by the evil Janie Hendrix - self-styled sister of Jimi. She is not his sister. She is however a greedy, ruthless and deluded woman with very powerful and expensive lawyers. Poor Jimi... Poor Leon (Jimi's brother.)

[AndyM]

Stepsister ? Sister-in-law ? Only asking because she got the name from somewhere, presumably.

[Jonathan E.]

Lots of opinions about the Experience Music Project (and the handling of the Hendrix estate by the reputedly evil half-sister/step-sister/whatever she is) — but it isn't where the ugly statue is. EMP is actually a fairly ambitious attempt to be a museum/performance space/etc. dedicated to rock, funded by Paul Allen, one of the original halves of Microsoft and now a mega-property developer/pillar of Seattle society/owner of sports teams/etc. etc. The building is famous for supposedly looking like a smashed guitar, which from the freeway about a mile away, it sort of does. Up close? Not so sure. You probably know Frank Gehry's general style and this fits. Inside, it's a bit of a confusing space and I don't go there often — I don't go anywhere often.

PS Every few years there's a story about Leon in the local press. He sounds like a bit of a wreck and has been so for many, many years.

[Adam Blake]

Stepsister ? Sister-in-law ? Only asking because she got the name from somewhere, presumably.

Andy: Janie Hendrix is child by 1st marriage of woman Al Hendrix (Jimi's dad) married in mid 60s.

Jon: the parallels with Charlie Parker! Hendrix loathed Seattle and never wanted to go back. Parker loathed Kansas City and never wanted to go back. Both of them dragged back after death for ceremonies they would have avoided like, um, death...

[Jonathan E.]

Stepsister ? Sister-in-law ? Only asking because she got the name from somewhere, presumably.

Andy: Janie Hendrix is child by 1st marriage of woman Al Hendrix (Jimi's dad) married in mid 60s.

So — no blood relative then. Step sister, if I remember the rules of relationship correctly from reading Burke's Peerage obsessively. Err . . . that was a joke from the "toff headcase".

Jon: the parallels with Charlie Parker! Hendrix loathed Seattle and never wanted to go back. Parker loathed Kansas City and never wanted to go back. Both of them dragged back after death for ceremonies they would have avoided like, um, death...

Yes, Seattle is a difficult place to like — although there are those who do and quite avidly at that. After ten years of it being "my" city, meaning visiting it from my hideout in the woods once or twice every month or two, I am slowly warming up to it. But . . . I sympathize with Hendrix.

It is an extraordinarily ugly statue! Here's some local chitchat: http://www.yelp.com/biz/jimi-hendrix-statue-seattle and, 'cos I love you so much but know you don't believe a word I say, here's a picture:



Lots more at http://www.google.com/search?q=Hendrix+statue+Seattle&hl=en&prmd=ivnsm&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=4uOITbrPKZPAsAOR9omTDA&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CBEQ_AUoAQ&biw=1224&bih=605. Now, don't say I haven't warned you!