‘Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church’ documentary heading to theaters

Captured in front of his largest U.S. audience, the documentary features Hendrix at the historic July 4, 1970 performance at the “Southern Woodstock”

Abramorama has partnered with Experience Hendrix L.L.C. and Sony Legacy Recordings to release Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church in select theaters around the world. The film opens at the Cinerama Dome/ArcLight Hollywood theater on January 31st with a special Q&A with director John McDermott, legendary record producer and engineer Eddie Kramer (best known for not only collaborating with Hendrix but also with The Beatles, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones and others and Jimi’s sister and Experience Hendrix C.E.O. Janie Hendrix. Original Atlanta Pop producer/director Steve Rash will also be part of the pane that will be moderated by 89.3-KPCC’s John Rabe. The much-lauded documentary, which originally aired on Showtime, tells the story of the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s involvement as the headliner of the Second Atlanta International Pop Festival, then hailed as the “Southern Woodstock.”

“We’re honored to add another Jimi Hendrix movie to the exalted list of music films we’ve released,” states Richard Abramowitz, CEO of Abrmorama. “Jimi certainly belongs in the pantheon with The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Pearl Jam, Tony Bennett and the many others we’ve been privileged to handle around the world.”

“It’s thrilling on so many levels. Seeing Jimi re-introduced around the world through this platform is something of a rebirth,” Janie Hendrix comments on the Electric Church partnership with Abramorama. “The moments captured in the film are timeless. Jimi’s music and his showmanship are born again for new generations in his Electric Church. It’s very exciting.”

Unquestionably one of the most exciting rock musicians of his generation, Jimi Hendrix captivated the world with his highly stylized approach to blues guitar. Electric Church features an interview with Paul McCartney who freely admits to worshipping Hendrix, commenting, “We all played guitar. We all knew a bit. But he seemed to know more than us.” The film features interviews with Hendrix’s Experience band mates Billy Cox and the late Mitch Mitchell as well as Steve Winwood, Rich Robinson, Kirk Hammett, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, festival organizer Alex Cooley and many others.

The film contains breathtaking, color 16mm footage of Jimi Hendrix’s July 4, 1970 appearance, a mere ten weeks before his untimely passing. Atlanta International Pop Festival footage in Electric Church was shot by Steve Rash, later known for directing the Hollywood films The Buddy Holly Story and Can’t Buy Me Love. Standout performances from the film include the Hendrix classics “Hey Joe,” “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” “Purple Haze,” as well as confident, compelling versions of “Straight Ahead,” “Freedom” and “Room Full Of Mirrors.” Hendrix aficianados and fans of rock’s classic ‘60s – ‘70s era will not want to miss this Electric Church.

Showtimes:

Jan 31 – Los Angeles CA – Cinerama DomeArc Light Hollywood*
Jan 31 – New York – IFC
Feb 1 – 7 – Buffalo NY – North Park Theatre
Feb 8 – 10 – Phoenix AZ – FilmBar
Feb 11 – Vancouver BC – Vancity Theatre
Feb 13 – Seattle WA – SIFF Cinema Uptown **
Feb 15 – Shreveport LA – Robinson Film Center
Feb 17, 19 – Columbus OH – Gateway Film Center
Feb 20 – San Antonio, TX – Santikos Bijou
Feb 21- Eugene OR – Broadway Metro
Feb 21 – 21, 28 – Hudson NY – Time & Space Limited
Feb 22 – Lake Worth, FL – Lakeworth Playhouse
Feb 22 – Boise ID – The Flicks
Feb 22 – 24 – Albuquerque NM – Guild Cinema
Feb 22 – 28 – Howell MI – Historia Howell Theater
Feb 22 – 28 – Fayetteville NC – Cameo Art House
Feb 22 – Long Beach CA – The Art Theatre
Feb 24 – 25 – Cathedral City/Palm Springs CA – Mary Pickford 14
Feb 24, 26 – Florence OR – City Lights Cinemas
Feb 25 – Nashville TN – Belcourt Theatre ***
Feb 25 – Fairfield CT – StageOne
Feb 26 – Bellingham WA – Pickford Theater
Feb 27 – State College PA – The State Theater
Feb 27 – Kansas City MO – Tivoli Cinemas
Feb 28 – Newport RI – Janes Pickens Theater
Feb 28 – Mystic CT – Mystic Luxury Cinemas
Feb 28 – El Paso TX – Alamo Drafhouse
Mar 1 – Baton Rouge LA – Manship Theatre
Mar 1 – 3, 9 – 10 Hudson NY – Time & Space Limited
Mar 2 – 3 Long Beach CA – The Art Theatre
Mar 4 – 5 – Newton NJ – Skylands PAC
Mar 5 – 7, 17 -Toronto, ONT – Hot Doc
Mar 8 – Schnectady NY – Proctors Theatre
Mar 9 – Monterey CA – The Golden State Theatre
Mar 11 – Salem OR – Salem Cinema
Mar 24 – Asbury Park NJ – Showroom Cinemas
April 3 – Stamford CT – The Avon Theatre Film Center

*Post-screening discussion with Eddie Kramer and John McDermott, Steve Rash and Janie Hendrix
**Post-screening discussion with Janie Hendrix
***Post-screening discussion with Billy Cox

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com