Abramorama Takes Global Theatrical Rights To ‘Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision’
Jimi Hendrix Electric Lady
EXCLUSIVE: Abramorama has taken global rights to Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision, a documentary on the creation of Hendrix’s famed recording studio from Experience Hendrix L.L.C.
The distributor comes to the project after backing two past Hendrix docs from Electric Lady Studios‘ director, John McDermott: Electric Church, as well as Music, Money, Madness: Jimi Hendrix Live In Maui, which was nominated for the Grammy for Best Music Film in 2022. McDermott’s latest will open the Quad in New York city on August 9, with a global rollout to follow.
Related Stories
Filmmaker Julien Hayet-Kerknawi Launches Belgium-Based Distributor Enigma Releasing; Action Thriller ‘The Last Front’ First Up For Release
IFC Films Takes North America On Crime Thriller ‘Skincare’ Starring Elizabeth Banks & Lewis Pullman
Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision examines how the space rose from the rubble of a bankrupt Manhattan nightclub to become a state-of-the-art recording facility inspired by Hendrix’s desire for a permanent studio.
With Electric Lady Studios, the first ever artist-owned commercial recording studio, Hendrix at first envisioned creating an experiential nightclub. inspired by the short-lived Greenwich Village nightspot Cerebrum, whose patrons donned flowing robes and were inundated by flashing lights, spectral images and swirling sound. Hendrix so enjoyed the Cerebrum experience that he asked its architect John Storyk to work with him and his manager Michael Jeffery to transform what had once been the Generation Club into ‘an electric studio of participation.’ Shortly after acquiring the Generation Club lease, however, Hendrix was steered from building a nightclub to creating a commercial recording studio.
The documentary explains in depth that while Jimi Hendrix’s death robbed the public of so much potential music, the continued success of his recording studio provides a lasting legacy beyond his own music. Among the hundreds of notables who have gone on to make records at Electric Lady are John Lennon, The Clash, AC/DC, Chic, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, which speaks to one of Hendrix’s lasting achievements in an industry that has radically changed over the course of the last half century.
Featuring never-before-seen footage and photos as well as track breakdowns of such Hendrix classics as “Freedom,” “Angel” and “Dolly Dagger” by recording engineer Eddie Kramer, who was awarded an Emmy for his work on the film Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train A Comin’, the doc also includes exclusive interviews with Steve Winwood, who joined Hendrix on the first night of recording at the new studio, as well as Experience bassist Billy Cox and original Electric Lady staff members who helped Hendrix realize his dream.
Stated Evan Saxon, Abramorama’s President and Head of International Distribution, “Abramorama is honored to once again collaborate with Experience Hendrix L.L.C, this time to share an insightful and never before seen documentary about one of the most famous recording studios in the world. Listen to an hour’s worth of music on your favorite playlist, DSP or radio station and odds are at least one of the songs was recorded at Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Studios.”
Janie Hendrix, George Scott and McDermott served as producers of the doc. Saxon and attorney Robert Marcus negotiated the acquisition deal on behalf of Abramorama.