Jimi Hendrix's childhood home saved from demolition

Legendary rocker Jimi Hendrix's Seattle home has been moved to a new location. Picture / Herald file

SEATTLE - 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 neighbourhoods 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 centre.

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.

- REUTERS