Curtis Knight

Best known as the bandleader with whom Jimi Hendrix developed his skills, Curtis Knight moved to California from Kansas in the '50s. He relocated again to New York in the '60s after appearing in the film Pop Girl. While leading the Squires he and Hendrix joined forces in 1965. Though Hendrix wasn't in the group very long, he was featured on over 60 songs, 26 studio and 35 live recordings. Knight kept working but has since become known almost solely for the Hendrix assocation, something kept alive by scores of poorly recorded bootleg collaborations. He even published his own Hendrix book (Jimi) in 1974. Knight moved to London in the '70s, and led the group Curtis Knight-Zeus. Among its members were guitarist Eddie Clarke, who later joined Motorhead. They cut two LPs, but only one was released in England. After a European tour and another LP, Knight returned to America.