Band of Gypsys

The Hendrix family is feuding with itself again, this time over publicity rights.

But the family war cuts deeper than simple publicity rights, most of which likely are covered under trademark agreements controlled by Experience Hendrix.
The larger, tangled blood feud that has played out in a handful of cases in both state and federal courts is between Leon and his adopted sister, Janie Hendrix, over Leon's desire to share in the multimillion-dollar earning power of his half-brother's words, music and image.

Janie, who briefly met Jimi once when she was 5, controls Experience Hendrix and the lucrative Hendrix song catalogue, among other assets. Two years ago, her attorneys successfully fought off Leon's inheritance claim -- he was written out of the will -- but lost on claims from other family members.

If Seattlest were king of the world we'd make Janie and Leon each pick up an axe and go at each other like Steve Vai vs. Daniel-san. And then we'd award all royalties and publicity rights to the side that didn't come up with Electric Vodka.

Now, please watch this silent video of Jimi in Seattle.

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By Dan in Arts & Events on June 6, 2007 1:29 PM

Comments [rss]

Bob Merlis

You are incorrect in stating that Janie Hendrix only met Jimi Hendrix once. The facts: he came home to Seattle in 1968 for the first time and that's when they first met. He came back twice in 1969 and stayed with the family, including Janie. (Leon was in jail for one of those visits and, in point of fact, was incarcerated at the time of Jimi's funeral and attened it with a police escort.