Jimi Hendrix: American youth culture icon of the 60s and 70s hippies era

Oleh :
Renato Tangguh Hartanto - C1305532 - Fak. Sastra dan Seni Rupa

ABSTRACT 2008. The research was conducted based on American Studies framework to analyze youth culture icon in Hippies era by choosing one of the American legendary rock superstars: Jimi Hendrix. To find Jimi Hendrix’s iconic status, the researcher traced and gathered the information of the history of, not only political, but also musical events happened in 60s and 70s era. The researcher believed that the development of the music history cannot be separated from important events occur within the society. Vietnam War, Black Power Movement, Hippies Era, Woodstock, were chosen as several important events that marked Jimi Hendrix’s journey to be an emblematic iconic rock star. Jimi Hendrix not only became the witness, but also had been influenced by the events themselves and used those experiences to develop himself building his image and status among the society especially the youth. This research was descriptive qualitative research altogether with purposive sampling as a technique of collecting data to answer the research questions. Library research is crucial to be conducted in finding and applying some theories and approaches like semiotic theory, pop culture theory, sociological approach, biographical approach, and historical approach. Therefore, the researcher focused on the source of main data that was a book entitled: Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child: The Story Behind Every Song by David Stubbs published by Carlton Book Limited in 2003. The main data were in the form of facts that were important information, ideas, evidences, quotations told within this book. The researcher also decided to use Fender Frontline magazine, the Jimi Hendrix official website, and CD/DVD of Jimi Hendrix’s live performance as other sources of main data. The supporting data were taken from a book entitled: Rock and Pop Timeline; How Music Change the World Through Five Decades by Johnny Black published by Merchant Book Company in 2003 and other information related with the history and era of Jimi Hendrix taken from the internet, references, magazines, and other related documents. After conducting the analysis, the researcher came to the conclusion that Jimi Hendrix is truly an American youth culture icon. Through his attitude, style, and performance, he became the symbol of the youth in Hippies era. The society acknowledged and accepted his beliefs and values because he was able to maintain his super stardom within the society especially in music industry. He shared his “magical power” through those aspects and molded it into a long lasting iconic status. He marked his death even more meaningful by becoming a legend.