Feeling restricted by his experiences as an R&B sideman, Hendrix

Feeling restricted by his experiences as an R&B sideman, Hendrix moved in 1966 to New York City’s Greenwich Village , which had a vibrant and diverse music scene. There, he was offered a residency at the Cafe Wha? on MacDougal Street and formed his own band that June, Jimmy James and the Blue Flames , which included future Spirit guitarist Randy California . The Blue Flames played at several clubs in New York and Hendrix began developing his guitar style and material that he would soon use with the Experience. In September, they gave some of their last concerts at the Cafe Au Go Go in Manhattan , as the backing group for a singer and guitarist then billed as John Hammond .