Jimi Hendrix Honored with 'Jimi Hendrix Way' in Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village has recently honored Jimi Hendrix by co-naming a section of West 8th Street as "Jimi Hendrix Way." The unveiling ceremony took place at the intersection of West 8th Street and Sixth Avenue, close to Electric Lady Studios. The event brought together musicians, educators, and Hendrix family members to commemorate the guitarist's impact on the neighborhood. It also marked the launch of a national education partnership to introduce Hendrix's story into classrooms across the country.
Councilmember Harvey Epstein led the ceremony, which had been rescheduled due to severe winter weather. Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. and Stevie Van Zandt’s TeachRock introduced a new multimedia lesson for middle and high school students titled "Jimi Hendrix: Rock’s Trailblazing Innovator and Influential Guitarist." The lesson, developed in collaboration with educators, is now available on TeachRock's platform.
The campaign to co-name the street in honor of Hendrix dates back to the weeks following his death and has been described as a "56-year petition." The City Council approved the co-name as part of a larger package of 109 street and intersection co-names in January 2025. The unveiling ceremony in Greenwich Village marked the official recognition of "Jimi Hendrix Way."
The event was attended by Janie Hendrix, Eddie Kramer, Steven Van Zandt, Vernon Reid, Valerie Simpson, Felicia Collins, and other music industry figures. Janie Hendrix expressed that the partnership and street co-name will help preserve her brother's legacy by bringing his story into classrooms and communities. Electric Lady Studios, founded by Hendrix in 1968, continues to operate on West 8th Street, making it a significant location for the co-named street and a celebration of Hendrix's creative influence.
The new street sign adds to the existing tributes to Hendrix, such as the 2014 U.S. Postal Service Jimi Hendrix Forever stamp. By linking the street co-name to an educational initiative, organizers aim to make "Jimi Hendrix Way" not only a neighborhood landmark but also a valuable teaching tool for schools that adopt the curriculum.