The sudden passing of Jim Hendrix on September 18, 1970, in London left the world in shock and deep mourning. Another rock and roll legend dead at the tender age of 27. There was Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones in July ’69, Janis Joplin in Oct. ’70 and The Doors’ frontman Jim Morrison in July ’71, yet Jimi was perhaps the most famous of the morbid “27 Club”. This important, one-of-a-kind hotel registration card from the Londonderry Hotel was filled out in Jimi’s hand and signed by Hendrix in March of 1970, just months before arguably the greatest guitarist of all time overdosed and died of asphyxia.

Jimi Hendrix completed the card in blue ballpoint pen on March 7, 1970, for a three-day stay and notably registered under his full name, “James Hendrix.” For his permanent and next address, he listed “27 E 37th St. N.Y. N.Y.” and later “27 E 37th St. New York N.Y.” He provided the address of his manager, Michael Jeffrey, instead of his actual Greenwich Village address. He also recorded his nationality as American and included his New York-issued passport number. Although his departure was initially noted as March 10th, records show Hendrix stayed until March 19th.

In his final months, Hendrix formed a close connection with the Londonderry Hotel. After learning that his former partner Kathy Etchingham had married, Hendrix traveled to London hoping to rekindle their past romantic relationship. Etchingham assisted him during his check-in at the hotel. The two had first met in 1966 and shared a storied history, with Etchingham being the inspiration for some of Hendrix's biggest hits including “Foxy Lady” and “The Wind Cries Mary.” Although they had separated by April ‘69, Hendrix spent his time at the Londonderry still seeing Etchingham, visiting clubs, and playing with other musicians. He also returned to Olympic Studios where he had recorded his first two albums with Jimi Hendrix Experience. On March 17, 1970, Hendrix had a long jam session and recorded a memorable live version of “Ezy Ryder” that would be included on his first solo album Band of Gypsys released March 25th. The night before his departure, Jimi and Stephen Stills performed together at The Speakeasy. After checking out of the Londonderry on March 19th, Hendrix flew back to New York City. He was preparing for what would become “The Cry of Love Tour” with a new Jimi Hendrix Experience lineup featuring Hendrix on guitar, Mitch Mitchell on drums and Billy Cox on bass. Sadly, it would be Jimi’s final tour.

Five months later, Hendrix returned to London for the last time. Once again, and for the last time, Hendrix booked himself into the Londonderry Hotel on August 27, 1970. Over the next few days, Hendrix did several press interviews at his Londonderry. Then, in the early morning hours of August 31st, Jimi played in front of 600,000 at the Isle of Wight Festival on the western coast of England, his final performance on the big stage.

During this final stay at the Londonderry, Hendrix had a notorious meltdown. The now married Kathy Etchingham did not realize Jimi was back in town until she received a frantic call from her friend Angie Burdon, former wife of musician Eric Burdon. Angie needed Etchingham’s help as she and a friend were in Jimi's suite at the Londonderry, and he had gone “mad.” When Etchingham arrived, she found the living room wrecked and the two women sitting in their underwear. Angie explained they had run into Jimi at The Speakeasy the night before and had come back to his room. When they awoke, Hendrix had gone crazy and trashed the entire suite, locking himself in the bedroom and refusing to give back their clothes. Etchingham defused the situation and got the women clothed and out of the room. This side of Jimi was unrecognizable to her, and she knew he needed to slow down his rockstar lifestyle and get help. After discovering the damage, the Londonderry threw Hendrix out. Jimi then moved into The Cumberland, his last known address, as he gave a few unsettling, strung-out performances around London before his ultimate demise on September 18th in a girlfriend’s room at the Samarkand Hotel.

Authentic handwritten items by Jim Hendrix are exceptionally rare and highly coveted among Americana and historical collectors. This unique hotel registration card is closely linked to the final hectic months of Jimi’s life and remains in excellent condition, measuring 4” by 5-7/8” inches (10 x 15 cm) and now slabbed in an authentic PSA/DNA holder. Further authentication includes printed LOAs from PSA/DNA, Beckett, Tracks UK, and entertainment autograph expert Roger Epperson (REAL).