The Jimi Hendrix Experience "Magic Boy" Live At Berkeley: The First Show Is Purely Magical & Brings You There

It is finally here, folks: the official version of Live At Berkeley: May 30, 1970 – First Show. While unofficial bootlegs of both the first and second shows have circulated over the years with adequate sound quality, this officially remastered release by Eddie Kramer and Bernie Grundman makes you feel like you are sitting front row center. The energy captured in this performance is simply amazing. As was typical for Jimi, no two performances were ever identical. He preferred to keep things fresh on stage each night so he would never tire of the setlist. He delivered high-energy shows that consistently left audiences wanting more. By late May 1970, Jimi was putting the finishing touches on his own Electric Lady Studios in New York. Even during construction, he was actively recording new material in the studio—a facility that would go on to host a multitude of legendary artists. Because he was building the studio to his exact specifications, Jimi restricted his touring primarily to weekends. He wanted to personally test out the acoustic space and see how it handled recording. Plus, as we all know, Jimi loved nothing more than jamming in the studio with fellow musicians. This Berkeley performance has finally gotten its well-deserved day in the sun. It features a great mix of classic tunes everyone knows and loves from both The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Band of Gypsys, alongside new material he was actively developing in the studio and testing in front of live audiences. This concert captured the final line-up of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, featuring Jimi Hendrix on guitar and vocals, Mitch Mitchell on drums, and Billy Cox on bass. While this rhythm section may not have logged as much road time as the original Experience line-up with Noel Redding, it was arguably the most dynamic. The chemistry among the trio was undeniable, always locked in the pocket and seamlessly playing off one another. The concert itself is phenomenal. While we won't spoil the second show—which has yet to receive an official standalone release—this first set drew a passionate crowd. Given Jimi's reduced touring schedule at the time, anticipation among fans was exceptionally high. The Berkeley Community Theatre was a smaller, more intimate venue than usual, holding roughly 3,500 seats across two sets, which meant many fans were left without tickets. Outside, ticketless fans clashed with police, threw stones, and even tried climbing onto the roof to gain entry. Inside, completely oblivious to the chaos taking place outdoors, Jimi and the band entered through a rear stage entrance, ready to perform. The Experience delivered a powerhouse set. They turned in magnificent renditions of classics like "Fire," "Red House," "Purple Haze," "Machine Gun," and "Message to Love," alongside newer tracks such as "Hear My Train A Comin'," "Ezy Rider," and "Freedom." As always, listeners were treated to a unique interpretation of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Jimi never played the national anthem the same way twice, feeding directly off the collective energy of the crowd. Two additional standouts in this set deserve special mention: the fierce closer "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" and the celebrated live rendition of Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode." Jimi absolutely shreds on that track, pouring everything into his guitar work in a performance that would make Chuck proud. Be sure to pick up this release and add it to your collection. It is a phenomenal, high-octane performance that has deserved an official release for a very long time. For those who remember watching the old VHS release, listening to this new remaster with headphones takes the experience to an entirely new level. It is bound to blow your mind.