It was 49 years ago today that the world was given one of the best experiences, The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

It started in the summer of 1966 when former Animals bassist Chas Chandler happened to catch Jimmy James & the Blue Flames perform in New York City. Chandler convinced Hendrix, who was known as Jimmy James at the time, to come to England with him to start his career.

Wanting to create a band that would highlight Hendrix’s talent, Chandler introduced Hendrix to bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell. On October 6, 1966, the three musicians came together for their first official rehearsal and the Jimi Hendrix Experience was born.

It wasn’t long after that day that the band began to make an impact in music. Fellow musicians Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Pete Townshend, to name a few, became immediate fans. The Jimi Hendrix Experience released their first single, “Hey Joe” in December of the same year becoming one of the most legendary bands in history.