Jimi Hendrix’s Burned Monterey Guitar Is Sold At Auction

The guitar Jimi Hendrix is rumored to have set alight on stage in 1967, has been sold at auction for over £200,000.

Hendrix’s black Fender Stratocaster was believed to have been set on fire by the rocker at the Monterey International Pop Festival. However, legend has it that the guitarist switched the instrument with a lesser, cheaper version moments before the incident.

James Wright, a manager at Hendrix’s label, owned the guitar, but sold it for £237,000 ($380,000) on Tuesday in London.

Wright explained the guitar’s history to The Metro newspaper, revealing that Hendrix was looking to outdo The Who’s Pete Townshend, who had, earlier in the day, smashed up his guitar on stage. Wright stated, “Jimi asked for some lighter fuel. He wanted to outdo Pete. At the time, it was his favorite guitar and he didn’t want to ruin it.”

In further Hendrix news, the track listing for his forthcoming album, People, Hell & Angels, which is comprised entirely of unreleased studio recordings, has been revealed.

The songs featured are, “Earth Blues,” “Somewhere,” “Hear My Train A Comin,” “Bleeding Heart,” “Let Me Move You,” “Izabella,” “Easy Blues,” “Crash Landing,” “Inside Out,” “Hey Gypsy Boy,” “Mojo Man,” and “Villanova Junction Blues.” They find Hendrix experimenting with a wide array of instruments which includes horns, keyboards, percussion, and a second guitar.

The songs were intended for the follow up album to Hendrix’s seminal masterpiece, Electric Ladyland, however he died whilst working on them in 1970.

Will you buy Hendrix’s new album? How much would you have paid for his guitar?