Purple Haze
Hendrix's introduction to the world: a howl of disorientation built around a tritone interval (the 'devil's interval' banned in medieval music). Written in a dressing room after a dream about walking under the sea.
Established Hendrix as the defining electric guitarist of the rock era. His feedback, whammy bar abuse, and teeth-playing techniques expanded what the electric guitar could do. His Woodstock performance of 'Star Spangled Banner' is the American 20th century in 3 minutes.
Released in 1967, the year the world's youth seemed to be going insane with possibility. Hendrix, a Black American, found his breakthrough in Britain — the racial irony of rock's transatlantic commerce.
Songs became anthems for equality, blending spirituals with contemporary R&B.