Experience life of a rock legend

FOR a time it felt as if Britain and London were at the psychedelic, musical heart of a cultural revolution.

- BY SUE LEE

Young people experimented with drugs and daring fashion, and pushed the boundaries of music, which really made the 60s swing.

The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who and the Kinks are just some of the British bands that created the sound tracks to the decade.

And London became home to arguably the greatest and most influential guitarist ever - the legendary Jimi Hendrix.

There is a famous quote: "If you remember the Sixties, you really weren't there." Well, there is good news for those who missed out on those hedonistic times. Music Heritage London runs tours for fans and has launched one centred around Hendrix and his haunts.

Hendrix, who had backed The Isley Brothers and Little Richard, came to London from the US in 1966 and lived in Brook Street, Mayfair, with girlfriend Kathy Etchingham from 1968-69.

A blue plaque to the rock star is next to one for composer George Frideric Handel, who lived in the neigh-bouring house from 1723 until his death in 1759.

The homes are cared for by the Handel Hendrix House museum, which is teaming up with MHL for the tour. MHL's Paul Endacott said: "The Handel Hendrix house is an amazing museum. But one thing I thought was lacking was the opportunity to see more of Hendrix's London.

FASCINATING

"Many of the venues are still there. The Troubadour hasn't changed since 1955; you can almost imagine Hendrix coming out of the men's lavatory. We go to as many locations as we can - where he lived, where he chilled and where he partied."