New York City is set to formally rename a section of West Eighth Street in Greenwich Village as “Jimi Hendrix Way” on , commemorating the legendary guitarist and his enduring connection to the city. The ceremony, scheduled for 11 a.m. At the corner of West Eighth Street and Sixth Avenue, will recognize the location of Electric Lady Studios, the recording studio Hendrix opened in .
The co-naming initiative was spearheaded by Janie Hendrix, president and CEO of Experience Hendrix LLC, alongside musician Stevie Van Zandt and writer Jeff Slate. Van Zandt’s involvement stems from his work with TeachRock, a nonprofit educational initiative that will launch a new lesson plan, “Jimi Hendrix: Rock’s Trailblazing Innovator and Influential Guitarist,” in conjunction with the street naming. The lesson will utilize archival footage from Experience Hendrix and expert interviews to explore Hendrix’s musical roots and lasting impact.
“This collaboration speaks to the heart of our mission — carrying on Jimi’s legacy through education,” Janie Hendrix said in a statement. “His music is a powerful gateway for young minds to connect with history, creativity, and their own potential.”
Van Zandt echoed this sentiment, stating, “Jimi Hendrix didn’t just play guitar — he reimagined what art could be. I want TeachRock to transport students into that same sense of possibility and discovery I felt the first time I saw Jimi perform. His story, lyrics, and sound remind young people that creativity has no limits.”
The story of Electric Lady Studios is inextricably linked to Hendrix’s vision for a creative hub in New York City. In , Hendrix and his manager, Michael Jeffery, purchased the site of a former nightclub, The Generation, located at 52 West Eighth Street. Initially, the intention was to establish a live music venue, a space where Hendrix had frequently participated in impromptu performances and late-night jam sessions. The Generation had previously hosted a diverse range of artists, including Big Brother & the Holding Company, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, Dave Van Ronk, and Sly & the Family Stone.
However, the plans evolved following the counsel of recording engineer Eddie Kramer and studio manager Jim Marron, who convinced Hendrix to transform the space into a professional recording studio. Architect John Storyk was commissioned to design the studio, resulting in the uniquely psychedelic and innovative Electric Lady Studios – the only artist-owned recording studio at the time. The studio officially opened on , with a grand opening attended by a constellation of musical luminaries, including Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Ron Wood, and Patti Smith.
Smith, in her memoir Just Kids, recalled a poignant encounter with Hendrix on the steps of the newly opened studio. She described Hendrix sharing his vision for Electric Lady as a place where musicians from around the world could converge, improvising and collaborating until they discovered a “common language” – “the language of peace.”
Tragically, Hendrix’s time to fully realize this vision was cut short. He died just weeks after the studio’s opening, on , having recorded only a limited amount of material at Electric Lady. Despite his untimely death, the studio quickly established itself as a premier recording destination, attracting a roster of iconic artists throughout the 1970s and beyond.
Over the decades, Electric Lady Studios has hosted recording sessions for a diverse array of musicians, including Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift, and Lady Gaga. The studio experienced a period of financial difficulty in the 2000s, but was subsequently renovated and revitalized under the ownership of Keith Stoltz and the management of Lee Foster, regaining its prominence as a leading recording facility.
The co-naming of West Eighth Street as “Jimi Hendrix Way” not only honors the musician’s legacy but also recognizes the enduring cultural significance of Electric Lady Studios as a vital part of New York City’s musical landscape. The event also marks the launch of a new educational initiative aimed at introducing Hendrix’s music and innovative spirit to a new generation of students, ensuring his influence continues to resonate for years to come.
