Jimi Hendrix was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is recognized worldwide as one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time. Among other things, he was known for pioneering the psychedelic rock sound, his incredible guitar skills and his legendary performance at Woodstock. Hendrix was born and raised in Seattle but many people don’t know he has a deep connection to Vancouver.
Jimi’s father Al was born in Vancouver and during Jimi’s childhood his grandmother Nora still lived there. Nora Hendrix owned and operated Vie’s Chicken and Steakhouse on Main and Union near Hogan’s Alley. Hogan’s Alley and the surrounding area was a neighbourhood where much of the black community lived in Vancouver in the twentieth century. Until sadly much of the community was displaced in 1971 when the Georgia viaduct was built.
Jimi Hendrix spent many summer’s during his youth visiting his grandmother up in Vancouver, hanging out in Hogan’s Alley and helping Nora out at Vie’s Chicken and Steakhouse. Nora Hendrix was an important part of her community. Not only did she own and operate Vie’s, she was also co-founded Vancouver’s first black church, The Fountain Chapel, where she worshipped and sang in the choir. Acknowledging her impact on the community, Nora Hendrix Place opened in 2019. It is a housing unit, designed to shelter and provide the homeless population with services until they can find more permanent homes.
Sadly, Jimi Hendrix died in 1970 in London at the age of 27 but I think it’s pretty cool that one of the worlds most celebrated musicians spent so much time in Vancouver. Today there is a Jimi Hendrix shrine where Vie’s Chicken and Steakhouse used to be. It’s small and usually closed but still worth checking out. It doesn’t only help us remember Jimi Hendrix but also the neighbourhood that used to be there.
