Jimi Hendrix found himself in need of a standout performance to capture the attention of his home country after years of struggling to establish his name in the United States.

Despite being a highly talented guitarist, he had been overshadowed while playing with R&B groups as a supporting musician.

His return to American soil was a chance to showcase his prowess and prove his worth to the nation he had left behind less than a year ago.

However, a significant obstacle stood in his way in the form of The Who.

The intense rivalry between Hendrix and Pete Townshend resulted in a dilemma at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.

Both artists relied on high volumes and captivating guitar theatrics, making it challenging for either one to follow the other seamlessly.

The Grateful Dead found themselves sandwiched between the two competing acts as negotiations occurred behind the scenes to determine the order of performances.

Eventually, a coin toss settled the matter in favor of The Who, who proceeded to deliver a destructive conclusion to their set with ‘My Generation’, nearly demolishing the stage in the process.

This turn of events left Hendrix facing a dilemma.

Merely delivering his usual explosive set with The Experience would no longer suffice.

Witnessing The Who’s gear destruction and theatrical antics, Hendrix realized that the performance had to be more than just music; it needed to be a spectacle.

Determined not to let an English band steal his thunder on his home turf, he devised a daring plan to make a lasting impression.

Drawing inspiration from ancient rituals that involved sacrifices to appease deities, Hendrix scoured backstage during The Dead’s set in search of lighter fluid.

He later explained his decision to destroy his beloved guitar on stage as a symbolic sacrifice, stating, “You sacrifice things you love.

I love my guitar.”

When Hendrix, along with Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding, took the stage, they captivated the audience with a vibrant rendition of Howlin’ Wolf’s ‘Killing Floor’.

Demonstrating his exceptional skills, Hendrix played the guitar behind his back and with his teeth, dazzling the crowd with renditions of ‘Hey Joe’ and Bob Dylan’s ‘Like a Rolling Stone’.

However, the pinnacle of his performance was yet to come.

Launching into The Troggs’ ‘Wild Thing’, The Experience set the stage on fire with a pulsating rhythm that allowed Hendrix to explore the space with exuberant energy.

As the tempo intensified, Hendrix dropped to his knees, executing a psychedelic somersault with his flamboyantly painted Strat.

The song escalated into a frenzied climax, culminating in Hendrix igniting his guitar, resulting in a fiery display that shattered the instrument.

With a few final strikes, he hurled the charred remnants into the crowd, solidifying his status as a star in a single electrifying performance.

Hendrix’s unforgettable act at Monterey propelled him and The Experience to the pinnacle of American fame.

Subsequent gigs saw them headlining top-billed shows, cementing their status as one of the leading bands in rock music.

While internal tensions within the group soon surfaced, for a fleeting moment, Jimi Hendrix emerged as the unrivaled guitar virtuoso of Monterey Pop and the psychedelic rock era.