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Roadie Claims Jimi Hendrix Was Murdered

Jimi Hendrix was murdered by his manager, according to a new book by a former roadie. James "Tappy" Wright alleges that Hendix's manager, Michael Jeffrey, once drunkenly confessed to killing the guitarist by stuffing pills into his mouth and washing them down with several bottles of red wine.

Jeffrey -- who stood to collect $2 million as a beneficiary on Hendrix's life insurance policy -- feared Hendrix was planning to fire him in favor of a new handler, according to a report about the book, titled 'Rock Roadie', as reported in Mail on Sunday. Wright claims Jeffrey -- who died in a plane crash in 1973 -- told him in 1971 that Hendrix was "worth more to him dead than alive."

Hendrix died in September 1970. An ambulance crew found the 27-year-old musician's body at London's Samarkand Hotel, in the room of an acquaintance named Monika Dannemann. His cause of death was listed as barbiturate intoxication and inhalation of vomit.

Wright writes that Jeffrey confessed, "I was in London the night of Jimi's death and together with some old friends ... we went round to Monika's hotel room, got a handful of pills and stuffed them into his mouth ... then poured a few bottles of red wine deep into his windpipe ... That son of a bitch was going to leave me. If I lost him, I'd lose everything."


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Smtihy

I agree that Tappy Wright may be after just a big payday by writing a book. But it does tie in with the report by pahologists that there was an unusual amount of red wine in Hendix's lungs and in his hair. A few bottles worth. Of course he could have read that.

December 08 2009 at 10:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jason

voodooriff is right ! Let Jimi rest in peace. This book & this story are a money making scam . As for all you people who think this is true, find a better way to spend your time.... R.I.P JIMI

July 26 2009 at 12:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dolly

This was a story last week. Why did they bring it back? Does your newspaper publish the same exact same story over and over and over again. Lazy news editor.

June 04 2009 at 2:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cmellonas

If true what a evil act, and a needless loss.
Hendrix is still king on guitar.
check out jimi hendrix tshirts among others at
www.smartaztshirts.com

June 04 2009 at 1:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
racook

Just a little bite of heroin ? what an asshole, he was a druggie and lucky he lasted as long as he did his music sucked the best thing he ever did with a guitar was put it down

June 04 2009 at 1:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
eleaverton

If he knew all this why didn't he let authorities know. SOunds like he is just as shameless as the alledged murderer.

June 04 2009 at 12:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Angiebaby

When money is involved, anything is possible. But it still gives me the creeps when I read about a trusted insider killing their "friend" for money. If this allegation is true, it was fitting Wright die so soon after he murdered Jimi. As for the roadie? He knew Jimi was murdered, and since he kept it quiet that a greedy manager robbed the world of Jimi's full potential, I have no respect for him and hope his book is a financial and literary failure. He didn't tell then to benefit himself, and he's only telling this tale now to benefit himself. Yep, another example of a trusted insider using another's tragedy for money.

June 04 2009 at 12:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dreolin

It says the ROOT of all evil, not that money is evil. Look at all forms of evil and backtrack and most of it is caused by money or the love of money, whatever. Therefore: It is at the ROOT. Hence the saying.

June 04 2009 at 12:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rockin

get my bags boy

June 04 2009 at 11:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rockin

roadies... bell hops for band gear

June 04 2009 at 11:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply