# In 1970, Jimi Hendrix delivered a performance Steve Vai says nobody could truly copy

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1970-jimi-hendrix-delivered-a-performance-steve-vai-says-nobody-could-truly-copy/
- Published: 2026-10-31T20:55:08+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-31T21:38:50+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/in-1970-jimi-hendrix-delivered-a-performance-steve-vai-says-nobody-could-truly-copy/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Steve Vai says Hendrix’s playing cannot be authentically copied.
- He singles out the live “Machine Gun” performance.
- Hendrix’s touch and musical character set him apart.

## Summary

Steve Vai says Jimi Hendrix’s playing remains impossible to truly reproduce, even when guitarists can learn his songs note for note. Vai points to Hendrix’s distinctive touch, groove and note choices, arguing that his performances carried a personal quality inseparable from the musician himself.

Vai singles out Hendrix’s live performance of “Machine Gun” with the Band of Gypsys at the Fillmore on New Year’s Eve as one of rock’s most inspired guitar performances. He says every note reflected Hendrix’s unique musical character, while John Frusciante similarly described Hendrix and his guitar as seeming completely united on stage.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.