The 3 Best Jimi Hendrix Rock Songs of All Time

The proof of the greatness of the music of Jimi Hendrix and classic rock can be found in any music store where re-releases of albums from the past with the label "digital re-master" drives the collector to purchase this great music - one more time! I have often been involved in discussions about what songs were the greatest. The question is; which are the 3 best Jimi Hendrix rock songs of all time? Here is my list.

I suggest that the top 3 are:

· Voodoo Child

I have already written about this song in another article for EzineArticles under the title "The 3 Best American Classic Rock Songs of All Time." it is impossible to write an article on Jimi Hendrix songs without including this on as number one on the list. The song contains two versions on the album Electric Ladyland. This song is the last song on the album, the shorter version and was released as a single.

· All Along the Watchtower

Written by Bob Dylan and released on his John Wesley Harding album, Hendrix was captivated by the possibilities of the song. A phone call to Bob Dylan and permission was granted for Hendrix to record what became one of his greatest songs. The guitar solo is second to none and the version arranged for Hendrix is the greatest version of what might have been a little known Dylan song. The Hendrix version is one of Rolling Stone magazine's "500 Greatest Songs of all Time." Dylan, himself, was so dazzled by Hendrix's interpretation of the song that he has subsequently always performed the Hendrix version as opposed to his own original version.

· The Star Spangled Banner

Scheduled to be the last performer at the famous Woodstock festival, Jimi had no way of knowing his performance would be to about 150,000 of the 500,000 who attended. Bad weather and delays ran the concert into the morning of the 4th day and that is when Jimi performed. Fortunately the cameras were rolling and the sounds and images of Hendrix performing the Star Spangled Banner at a festival designed for music and peace resonate today as the greatest single performance of the American national Anthem by any performer in rock history. It was breathtaking in its reach and power. If anyone can listen, and not hear the "bombs bursting in air," they are not listening to the right version. This iconic version will remain forever, one of the indelible images of Jimi Hendrix as a "guitar god."