Directions to the Isle of Wight Festival Handwritten by Jimi Hendrix, August 29, 1970

On August 29, 1970, after a series of interviews at London’s Londonderry Hotel, Jimi Hendrix wrote these directions on hotel stationary to the Isle of Wight Festival for Danish model Kirsten Nefer. The two were introduced the previous day by a mutual friend, Karen Davis. Hendrix got on well with Nefer and made arrangements for special passes to the show, along with directions: “If I’m not there [at the Hotel Sea Grove] or left to grounds before you arrive at hotel, just take cab to main stage gate. Passes will be waiting.” In addition to the directions, Hendrix drew a surreal, minimal illustration of a woman and a man, their heads partially merged by the Psychedelic linework. 

Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter who gained mainstream prominence in the late 1960s with hits such as “Hey Joe,” “Purple Haze,” “All Along the Watchtower,” and “Fire,” and is now celebrated as one of the most influential electric guitarists of all time. 

The Isle of Wight Festival was a monumental, multi-day Rock festival in England featuring a vast lineup of the era’s biggest stars, including Jimi Hendrix, the Who, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, and the Doors. It had taken place the previous two years, but August 26-30, 1970 was the last time it was organized until the festival was revived in 2002. Hendrix headlined the last day of the festival, on August 30th — a homecoming of sorts, as he had not toured the UK in 18 months. The Isle of Wight became his last documented performance before his death on September 18, 1970.