Who Knows
Jimi Hendrix, 1970, from Band of Gypsys. Solo by Jimi Hendrix.
The Band of Gypsys opener; a loose funk groove where Hendrix stretches out with wah.
Who Knows opens Band of Gypsys, recorded live with Billy Cox on bass and Buddy Miles on drums, and it sounds nothing like the Experience. The groove is loose and funky, built for stretching out, and Hendrix uses his Stratocaster and wah to probe it with choppy rhythm figures and liquid, vocal lead lines. His solo is relaxed rather than explosive, full of call-and-response between guitar and voice. It points toward the funk-rock direction he was exploring near the end of his life. Listen for how he blends chords and single notes inside the same phrase, making it hard to tell where rhythm ends and lead begins.
Who Knows by Jimi Hendrix is featured in our Funk & Soul (#17) list. The solo is played by Jimi Hendrix and the song was released in 1970.
In our lists
- The 25 Greatest Funk and Soul Guitar Solos — #17
- Greatest Live Solos — #17
- Wah & Talk Box Solos — #17
- Best of Jimi Hendrix — #7
- The Best Band of Gypsys Guitar Solos — #2
Sources
Who played the guitar solo on Who Knows?
Jimi Hendrix played the solo on Jimi Hendrix's Who Knows (1970).
What guitar was used on the Who Knows solo?
A fender stratocaster, according to widely reported accounts.