With the arguments over the rights to the Nirvana legacy now over another royalties row may take centre stage as the family of Jimi Hendrix argue over just who own his music. Ownership of Jimi’s music returned to the family seven years ago and his adopted half-sister Janie set up the Experience Hendrix company to manage the rights, promising fans a number of rarity releases.
But all is not happy in family Hendrix - Rolling Stone magazine reports that, following the death of Jimi’s father in April, his brother Leon is suing Janie, claiming she stole his inheritance and defamed him when she claimed he was only Jimi’s ‘half brother’. He also accuses Janie of defrauding the public when she claimed her company was family owned - "Leon and other family members were not allowed to participate in the company's function or operation, or to receive the benefits of those operations," the suit states.
Janie Hendrix isn’t without her critics. Many fans claim that, with the exception of the ‘The Jimi Hendrix Experience’, Janie hasn’t delivered the rarities releases she promised, despite the number of unreleased recordings at her disposal, while others criticise her use of Jimi’s image on what they see as tacky official merchandise.
Noel Redding, who played on three Hendrix albums and who helped Janie gain control of the estate from previous owners Alan Douglas and Leo Branton says he still waiting for royalty payments he was promised. And Kathy Etchingham, Jimi's former girlfriend, question’s Janie suitability to manage Jimi’s legacy - "Janie is a devout Christian, and is offended by Jimi's lifestyle. So she won't allow Hendrix music to be used in any context that suggests sex or drugs ... Janie doesn't want people to see the truth about Jimi, and when someone says something about him that she doesn't like, she threatens them with legal action."
But others defend Janie. Billy Cox, Jimi's army buddy, says he is "very proud of how Janie's handled Jimi's legacy. She's done it all in a very professional manner”.
The case will now go to court with Leon promising more music rarities for the fans if he’s victorious. Full story at www.rollingstone.com