Quincy Jones claimed a billionaire could play Jimi Hendrix
Quincy Jones, a titan of the music industry, amassed more experience over his seven-decade career than virtually any other. He collaborated with the all-time greats—Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Ray Charles, and countless other legends—earning a reputation as a visionary whose musical words were often delivered with a decidedly unconventional flair.
While Jones was undeniably a genius, he wasn’t always the unquestioned authority. His legendary status was often punctuated by a series of bizarre musical opinions, proving that even the greatest minds sometimes enjoy a bit of delightful controversy.
One of Jones’ most unconventional takes involved the revolutionary guitarist Jimi Hendrix. Despite his monumental influence on modern music, Jones harbored a particular, almost grudging, opinion of the psychedelic hero. This feeling was heightened by a specific studio session; Hendrix had reportedly chickened out of playing on Jones’ 1970 album, Gula Matari.
Adding insult to this complex dynamic, Jones turned his focus onto an entirely unexpected comparison. When asked about the qualities that defined Hendrix, Jones suggested that the guitar hero’s spirit could be mirrored by a figure in the world of commerce: Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft and one of the wealthiest men globally.
The image conjured was rather striking: a tech guru adorned in psychedelic gear, shredding ‘Voodoo Child‘. While it’s unclear if this was a genuine compliment or a subtle indictment, the comparison certainly drew attention to the intersection of genius and wealth.
Paul Allen, who amassed a net worth close to $20 billion, was certainly a devoted admirer of Hendrix. He famously used his fortune to secure extensive memorabilia and even lent the Jimi Hendrix Estate $6 million in 1993 to support legal battles protecting the rights to the back catalogue. His devotion was palpable; as one source noted, he felt that hearing Hendrix had hooked him completely.
Allen even founded the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, allowing the world to view his collection of Hendrix artifacts rather than keeping them locked away. He was, in many ways, a true superfan.
However, even with this display of enthusiasm, the comparison ultimately falls short. While Paul Allen appreciated Hendrix’s technical skill, no amount of wealth can fully replicate the guitarist’s defining characteristic: his pioneering spirit and defiant, unrestrained passion. The depth of emotional connection and revolutionary energy that defined Hendrix remains something no mere monetary valuation can match.
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