Room Full of Mirrors

A Biography of Jimi Hendrix

By: Charles R. Cross

Narrated by: Lloyd James

Length: 13 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

For many, the name Jimi Hendrix conjures up a larger-than-life image of the man who set fire to guitars, women's hearts, and the status quo. In this groundbreaking account, music journalist Charles R. Cross takes a far deeper look. Beyond Hendrix's legendary onstage and offstage magnetism, and his excessive lifestyle, was a man who struggled to accept his role as an idol and privately craved the kind of normal family life he never had.

Based on more than 300 interviews and never-before-seen private documents, this audiobook recounts the entire arc of Hendrix's life, from his troubled childhood and struggle with racial prejudice to his rapid ascent in swinging London, his headlining at Woodstock in 1969, and his death a year later. As colorful and large as the decade of the 60s, this biography gives the real Hendrix the immortality he deserves.

©2005 Charles R. Cross (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc

Critic reviews

"Cross' detailed, engrossing book makes the memory of Hendrix even stronger." (New York Times)
"One of the best biographies to date....Admirably comprehensive and well referenced, this is the Hendrix biography to acquire if you can acquire only one." (Booklist)
"An excellent portrait, probably unbeatable both for its moving depiction of his youth and thrilling rise to fame and for its myth-busting finality." (Los Angeles Times)

In depth

Detailed, well thought and appreciated. The legend continues.

Riveting

Great Listen. The narrator does a good job at keeping the listener engaged. I recommend this book. It gives an in depth look at Hendrix’s life.

Are You Experienced?

This book is very well written and researched. It is hard to be unbiased since Jiimi is now and always will be my favorite in a world of mediocrity. His story is sad and amazing at the same time.. do give it a listen.

An Informative Look at a Rock Icon.

This was both historical and entertaining. Much is known about his short career, but I discovered numerous sides to Hendrix. Ultimately, a gifted yet troubled young soul. The narration was an easy listen start to finish.

I wasn’t even a fan…

I usually read light crime/mystery/thrillers and wanted to take a break. I read an autobiography because it heavily involved horses and then was looking for a famous person‘s biography and this was about the first one that came up. I thought, why not?

And although there were a couple of times that I was a little bit bored (whose life wouldn’t have some “boring” points) I thought this was well-written and well-narrated and I learned a lot and I am now a fan of at least some Jimi Hendrix music (I listened to several songs that were named in the course of the book).

I was born in 1970, so it was “before my time” - I can’t believe he died one month and one day after I was born - but “my” music is mainly the 80s back to the 40s, so I’m kind of surprised that other than his most popular and famous songs, I was never really introduced to his music.

But anyway, I do recommend this book. It’s interesting, and heart wrenching, and beautiful, and painful, and a testimony to rising above and to the damage one’s early experiences can do, and racism and family strife and music in the 60s in the UK and America…

If any of that interests you, I think you will enjoy this book.

Jimi (Buster) another Angel

A story well told about Jimi’s life and legacy. Jimi’s talent was a precious gift for us all to hear.

Enjoyable

If you were a Hendrix fan, this is a very enjoyable documentation of his life and music.

Thorough.

Extremely well researched. Loved the updates on family members. I may need to buy the hard copy for pictures😬.

Great book. Great narrator.

Excellent book and narration. A great story, but I am a biased Hendrix fan. Very interesting retrospective of Hendrix's life, and the author is very knowledgable with the facts and history. I enjoyed every moment of this book.
I also highly recommend "Heavier Than Heaven" the biography of Kurt Cobain, also written by Cross with the same narrator. The two books are on the same level.

Depressing

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, If you want to know what kind of life he had growing up and the life he led after getting famous

What was one of the most memorable moments of Room Full of Mirrors?

Just the sadness of his life

Have you listened to any of Lloyd James’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't know but he is very good

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Just made me sad