Jimi Hendrix The Cry of Love Unused Album Cover Art (1970). In 1970, Jimi Hendrix was planning his first solo album -- without the Experience or Band of Gypsies in the title -- originally to be called First Rays of the New Rising Sun. His plan was to make it a double album, and he personally commissioned artist Henri Martinez to create a painting to be used as the cover image. Jimi was part Cherokee Indian, and this painting would present him as a proud Cherokee warrior, holding his "weapon" of peace -- an electric guitar. Alas, all plans were changed with Jimi's untimely passing on September 18, 1970. The planned double album was never finished; in it's place was a single disk of completed songs released in 1971, titled after Jimi's recent Cry of Love tour with bassist Billy Cox and drummer Mitch Mitchell. In place of Martinez's elegant painted portrait, a stark, penciled illustration by Jimi's longtime friend Nancy Reiner was used.
This original painting was documented in two books: Hilary Kay's Rock & Roll Memorabilia: A History of Rock Mementos, and Frank Moriarty's Bold as Love: The Jimi Hendrix Experience. It was also used as the cover to the bootleg album Electric Church. The mixed-media art is on bristol affixed to illustration board, with an image area of approximately 12" x 12". A 15.75" x 16" triple mat is included, ready for framing. The art is in Excellent condition.