Billy Cox Brings The Experience

Having met while both served in the U.S. Army in the early 1960s, Cox and a pre-fame Hendrix moved to Nashville and formed a band called “The King Kasuals” that played the so-called “chitlin’ circuit” and backed R&B artists such as Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson. Although the two had gone their separate ways after Animals bassist Chas Chandler brought Hendrix to London where the Jimi Hendrix Experience was formed, the axeman included Cox in his then-fledgling Gyspy Sun & Rainbows band which played at Woodstock.  Band Of Gypsys soon followed.

Now Cox is relighting the flame, taking the Hendrix legacy to new fans via a journey billed as “Billy Cox/Band Of Gypsys Experience.”  Joining Cox will be not one but two guitarists, something Hendrix wanted to explore.

“It was Jimi’s dream to use a second guitarist,” Cox said.  “He was getting into a new phase of his music and he felt that one guitar limited the band and limited the new music he was creating.  There were glimpses of what he was trying to do at Woodstock with Larry Lee as the second guitarist.  But that idea was not able to continue.  Now almost 43 years later, I am grateful that I have the opportunity to continue the dream with two dynamic guitarists, Dani Robinson and Byron Bordeaux.”

Still enjoying the success of his 2011 Old School Blue Blues album, Cox was one of the musicians on the current Jimi Hendrix release People, Hell & Angels.

Here’s the June routing:

June 19 – Northampton, Mass., Iron Horse Music Hall
June 20 – Norfolk, Conn., Infinity Hall
June 21 – Stanhope, N.J. Stanhope House
June 23 – New York, N.Y., City Winery
June 24 – Washington, D.C., The Hamilton
June 25 – Wilmington, Del., World Cafe Live At The Queen
June 26 – Sellersville, Pa., Sellersville Theater 1894

Cox is also appearing at the Allen City Blues Festival in Allen, Texas, July 27.

“Our show could be described as triangular in context, we perform not only Hendrix, but some originals and some old school,” Cox said.  “We are most especially committed to giving the audience an evening of good listening and fun.  Dani and Byron embody the spirit of guitar showmanship.”