Jimi Hendrix-Worn Jacket From Rainbow Bridge Performance at Maui's Haleakalā Crater Added to MoPOP's 'Wild Blue Angel: Hendrix Abroad, 1966-1970' Exhibition
A black velvet jacket studded with silver- and turquoise-colored fabric medallions formerly worn by Jimi Hendrix during his July 30, 1970 performance at Rainbow Bridge at the Haleakalā Crater in Maui, Hawai'i has been added to the Museum of Pop Culture's Wild Blue Angel: Hendrix Abroad, 1966-1970 exhibition, from the Collection of Experience Hendrix, L.L.C.
In front of an audience of 500 grouped according to astrological sign, Hendrix and his band took the stage while the crowd chanted "AUMMM," and launched into two sets, which were captured on camera for the 1972 counterculture film Rainbow Bridge.
“This phenomenon taking place here today is the first of its kind for Hawaii. Say what they will about these people, the phenomenon they are bringing here is a very real one which the Establishment is deceiving itself about if it thinks this will just go away. I don’t believe it will.” – Rev. Roger Melrose, Honolulu Advertiser, July 30, 1970
The jacket's addition to the exhibition comes ahead of Jimi Hendrix's birthday weekend, which MoPOP plans to celebrate with rare, special screenings of Music, Money, Madness... Jimi Hendrix Live in Maui, a documentary chronicling the Jimi Hendrix Experience's storied visit to the Hawaiian Islands. Taking place at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. PT on Saturday, November 27 and Sunday, November 28 inside MoPOP's famed Sound and Vision Theatre, each screening is free with museum admission.
Music, Money, Madness… Jimi Hendrix Live in Maui reveals how The Jimi Hendrix Experience became ensnared with the ill-fated Rainbow Bridge movie, produced by their controversial manager Michael Jeffery. Featuring never-before-released 16mm color film footage of the afternoon performances — mixed in 5.1 surround sound — the film presents new interviews with firsthand participants and key players such as Billy Cox, Eddie Kramer, Warner Bros. Executives, and several Rainbow Bridge cast members, as well as its director Chuck Wein. Their fascinating account tells the definitive story about one of the most controversial independent films ever made.
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