Jimi Hendrix - Nona Hatay

This nice Hendrix poster features a photograph by Nona Hatay which was published as this numbered series of posters in 1985. Not much is known about the origin of this piece except that Hatay took the photograph at the May 18, 1969 concert at Madison Square Garden while on assignment as a newspaper photographer. Hatay went on to write a book entitled Jimi Hendrix: Reflections and Visions, which features Hatay’s photography and Hendrix’s lyrics. This poster was printed in a limited edition of 100 pieces; this is number 50.

Tickets for the 19,000-seat sold-out show ran from $4.00 to $6.50. This show at Madison Square Garden was the 18th gig of their 26-concert North American tour and it was about three weeks after Hendrix had been busted for drugs at the Toronto airport.

On the day of the show, Jimi and the band went to the Fillmore East to catch the first set by The Who. But, as bassist Noel Redding records in his diary, mid-way through the show smoke began to fill the hall. "A fire started in the grocery store on the comer," recalled Bill Graham. "Someone threw a Molotov cocktail in there because the owner refused to pay his protection money.” Cops invaded the Fillmore stage and cause a fracas as the crowd was ushered out. Guitarist Larry Coryell escorted The Experience to safety and their show at the Garden.