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Photographer recalls 1970 Isle of Wight Festival

Wed 1 Sep 2010

Photographer recalls 1970 Isle of Wight Festival

A photographer who worked as an electrician at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival has shared his memories of the iconic event.

Jimi Hendrix famously made one of his last ever live appearances on stage at the event 40 years ago, going on to die in a London hotel room just weeks after the show.

Chris Weston, who still lives on the Isle of Wight, recalled how he spoke to the legendary guitarist moments before he went on stage.

He said he told Hendrix there were 500,000 people waiting for him in the arena and that he had seemed "nervous".

Mr Weston added: "He was really unrehearsed - it must have been one of the worst performances he ever did, unfortunately it was his last one."

He added that the only reason he had agreed to work at the Isle of Wight Festival was to experience a live Hendrix show.

Simon Calder of the Telegraph recently recommended that fans of the guitarist head to Dimbola Lodge at Freshwater Bay to see a permanent exhibition based on the festival.

Posted by Steph White ADNFCR-3083-ID-800047856-ADNFCR

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