Dusty Boots is His Cadillac

On September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote a poem called “The Defence of Fort M’Henry” about the events at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland during the War of 1812. Francis Scott Key was an attorney and amateur poet who was watching British naval forces bombard Fort McHenry when he observed U.S. soldiers raise a large American flag over the fort. He was inspired at daybreak the next morning when he observed the lone American flag was still flying high. Years later, his poem was slightly altered and set to the music of a popular English drinking song called “To Anacreon in Heaven” by composer John Stafford Smith. People began calling this mash up the “Star Spangled Banner.” On March 3, 1931, the anthem was officially adopted as the National Anthem of the United States.

Just over 38 years later, on August 18, 1969, Jimi Hendrix played his rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” to a crowd of concert goers at the legendary Woodstock festival. Jimi Hendrix stated, “I’d like to say peace, yeah, and happiness” and then drove into his rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” grounded in protest and hope. Hendrix, who was a Vietnam veteran and a member of the 101st Airborne Division, launched into his interpretation of the song just before the end of his set and the end of Woodstock.

His performance also included the melody of “Taps” played on his Olympic White 1968 Fender Stratocaster through a U.K. valve Marshall ‘1959’ JTM 100-watt super lead overdriven by a Dallas-Arbiter Fuzz Face with Uni-Vibe and V846 “Sepulved” Vox Cry baby Wah pedals. 

In 1969, technician, Dave Weyer (commonly known as the “Amp Doctor”), was aware Vox would soon be releasing a new Vox Cry Baby Wah pedal. Weyer worked on Hendrix’s rig prior to Woodstock, modded the new Vox Cry Baby Wah for Hendrix, and even sanded off identifiable printing on the enclosed Motorola transistors (for mystique!). Hendrix’s Woodstock guitar rig is well known to guitarists and is legendary. Hendrix went on to perform the “Star Spangled Banner” 70 times before his passing, with his last performance taking place on August 1, 1970 in Hawaii. 

His Old Guitar Slung Across His Back
As a child and later an aspiring guitarist growing up in the 1970s, my two biggest influences for playing the instrument were “the two Jimmys,” as I called them, Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix. I wanted to learn how to play guitar after first hearing Jimmy Page’s guitar solo in Led-Zeppelin’s “Heartbreaker.” I listened to everything Page played and recorded and loved not only his playing but his writing, use of tones/effects, and production. I later heard Jimi Hendrix’s version of the “The Star Spangled Banner” from Woodstock and began listening to everything he ever wrote or recorded. Hendrix’s use of the whammy bar and effects to make his guitar virtually cry, and scream, were revolutionary. Hendrix’s ability to immerse himself within the guitar inspired me to approach the instrument, and my work as an instructional leader, in a similar, creative manner.

As a school administrator, I have attended many school-related events. Over the years, I found myself absent so much from home during the evening that my family also began attending concerts, plays, athletic competitions, etc. with me so we could spend time together. We have twin girls and they especially enjoyed attending high school events to be with “the big kids.” They probably attended more school events with me before they enrolled in high school than all the events they attended while in high school.

As a superintendent and as a principal, I have been asked to participate with students in a number of concerts and events at school. I have also been asked to play “The Star Spangled Banner” a number of times and always warned if I play, my version will sound just as over the top and direct as Jimi Hendrix’s version. I cannot imagine playing the “Star-Spangled Banner” as a nice, clean and neat version on either the electric or acoustic guitar (heresy!). My early recollections of listening to Jimi Hendrix and learning how to play are engrained memories and provided focus as a young person.

Blowing in the Wind
I assume watching me play “The Star Spangled Banner” at school events has been a largely unexpected surprise for students and spectators. I remember being young and sometimes seeing one of my teachers at the grocery store or at a department store. It always felt strange because I was observing them in such a different capacity. They seemed out of their element (or at least I thought so!). They were not supposed to be choosing from a variety of apples, shampoo, or clothes like everyone else! I am certain anyone watching me play has possessed the same thoughts.

My rendition of the “The Star Spangled Banner” is loud, improvisational, and unruly, which makes it fun at large events, such as a football game. The photos above are from one of the many times I was asked to play the National Anthem at a school event. This particular performance took place on September 6, 2013 (about 199 years after Francis Scott Key wrote his poem, called “The Defence of Fort M’Henry”)! As Jimi Hendrix so eloquently stated, “The story of life is quicker than the blink of an eye, the story of love is hello, goodbye.”

Chris

Referenced links and documents:
Defence of Fort McHenry Library of Congress

May This Be Love by Jimi Hendrix 

The “Defence of Fort McHenry,” or “The Star-Spangled Banner,” 1814, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

To Anacreon in Heaven, Library of Congress

Jimi Hendrix Dallas-Arbiter Fuzz Face photography courtesy of Julien’s Auctions and Reverb

Jimi Hendrix Uni-Vibe effects unit and expression pedal photography courtesy of Zach Chisholm

Jimi Hendrix V846 Sepulved Wah pedal and Guild Thunderbass Amp photography courtesy of MusicRadar 

Jimi Hendrix’s Woodstock Marshall Super Lead photography courtesy of Mixdown Magazine

XXX3Third by Chris Dignam