The Wind Cries Mary

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin "The Wind Cries Mary" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience from their iconic album Are You Experienced. This rock ballad, written by Jimi Hendrix, has a wild backstory. According to Kathy Etchingham, Hendrix’s girlfriend at the time, the song came out of a heated argument over her lumpy mashed potatoes. Plates were thrown, and the next day, Hendrix penned the lyrics, using Etchingham’s middle name, "Mary." She suggested the line "a broom is drearily sweeping up the broken pieces of yesterday’s life" reflects Hendrix cleaning up the shattered dishes. But Hendrix later hinted the lyrics might represent more than one person, adding a layer of mystery. Music journalist David Stubbs noted Hendrix reused a poetic line from an earlier poem for another Mary—Mary Washington—showing his knack for weaving personal experiences into his art.

Another cool tidbit comes from the recording session. Producer Chas Chandler shared that "The Wind Cries Mary" was cut in just 20 minutes at De Lane Lea Studios in London in February 1967, right after wrapping "Fire." Drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding hadn’t even rehearsed it—they played it once, and Hendrix added a few overdubs. That raw, spontaneous vibe helped the single hit number six on the UK Singles Chart in May 1967. Billy Cox, Hendrix’s longtime friend, pointed out the influence of Curtis Mayfield’s soulful style on the track, blending psychedelic rock with a touch of R&B. Fans on Reddit’s Jimi Hendrix community rave about its poetic imagery, with some interpreting it as a watcher’s perspective on life’s fleeting moments, far beyond a simple love song.

Jimi Hendrix, born Johnny Allen Hendrix on November 27, 1942, in Seattle, Washington, started his musical journey young. Teaching himself guitar at age 12, he was hooked on blues and rock and roll. By 1961, he enlisted in the US Army but was discharged a year later after breaking his ankle in a parachute jump. He then hit the road, playing gigs on the Chitlin’ Circuit and backing acts like the Isley Brothers, Sam Cooke, and Little Richard through the mid-1960s. His big break came when Chas Chandler, bassist of The Animals, spotted him with his band Jimmy James and the Blue Flames in New York. Chandler whisked Hendrix to London in 1966, where he formed The Jimi Hendrix Experience with Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding. Their debut single, "Hey Joe," and the album Are You Experienced launched them into stardom, with Hendrix’s electrifying guitar work and showmanship—think setting his guitar on fire at Monterey Pop in 1967—cementing his legend status.

Though Hendrix’s mainstream career lasted just four years until his tragic death in 1970, his influence is timeless. You can dive deeper into his world at the official Jimi Hendrix website or follow along on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans keep his spirit alive through communities like the r/jimihendrix subreddit and tribute acts like Are You Experienced, a UK-based band that nails Hendrix’s 1960s vibe. For more fan love, check out the Jimi Hendrix Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks can connect and share their passion for Jimi’s music.