Jimi Hendrix’s Seattle home saved from demolition

SEATTLE (Reuters) – The one-time boyhood home of legendary
rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix has been spared demolition and
moved to a new location, the head of the James Marshall Hendrix
Foundation said on Tuesday.

The sagging two-bedroom house in one of Seattle’s
traditionally African-American neighborhoods was the only home
ever owned by the Hendrix family during Jimi’s childhood.

The one-story structure, covered in graffiti, was moved
this week to a mobile home park in Renton, a city just south of
Seattle, and across the street from the cemetery where Hendrix
is buried.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Ray Rae Goldman, head
of the foundation that was started by Leon, Hendrix’s brother.
Goldman did not say whether that would be the last location for
the home, which Leon hopes to eventually turn into a small
museum and educational center.

The house has been subject of a long legal battle between
the city of Seattle and the foundation after city officials
said it would be demolished if it was not moved.

The house was moved once before from its original site in
2001 to make way for a housing development.

The 35th anniversary of Hendrix’s death falls on September
18. The musician was 27 when he died of a drug overdose.

His estate has been the focus of court battles between Leon
Hendrix and Jimi Hendrix’s stepsister, Janie who inherited the
bulk of Jimi’s estate.