More SXSW News

2 dead after intoxicated man drives car into SXSW crowd

On the day the South by Southwest Conference is to pay homage to guitar legend Jimi Hendrix, two people are dead after a suspected drunken driver, fleeing police crashed through barricades at the South By Southwest Music festival in Austin. There were 23 others injured, several critical.

According to reports, police said the mayhem started when an officer on a drunken-driving patrol tried to stop a vehicle that took off speeding the wrong way down a one-way. The driver turned onto Red River Street, closed to motorists, where many clubs hosting South by Southwest music showcases, was crowded with fans waiting to enter the venues.

Austin Chief of police stated, “We do these events very well, but you cannot stop a person who rather than face drunk driving charges, show total disregard for the sanctity of human life.” The suspect is facing capital murder charges and numerous counts of aggravated assault with a vehicle.

Jimi Hendrix Stamp

SXSW and the United States Postal Service have teamed up to present A Jimi Hendrix Celebration showcase on the Outdoor Stage at Austin’s Butler Park. Just prior to the headline performance the new, limited-edition Jimi Hendrix Forever® stamp, which is part of the USPS Music Icons series will be unveiled. Last year, the USPS introduced three Music Icons stamps, which included Johnny Cash, Lydia Mendoza and Ray Charles.

The Jimi Hendrix celebration will include guitar greats Wayne Kramer (MC5), Slash (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver), Rusty Anderson (Paul McCartney),Dave & Phil Alvin, Robby Krieger (The Doors), and Perry & Etty Farrell! The tribute will also feature Doug Pinnick (King’s X), Mary Bridget Davies, and Jesse Malin. Los Lonely Boysand Vintage Trouble is the opening acts.

Jimi Hendrix was one of the most prolific musicians of the 20th century. He influenced rock, modern jazz, soul, and the blues. In 1993, Hendrix was awarded a posthumous Grammy for lifetime achievement. His unique style continues to inspire musicians into the 21st century. Rolling Stone ranked Hendrix #1 on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time, and #6 on its list of the 100 greatest artists of all time. His band, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and the U.K. Music Hall of Fame in 2005. The band’s first album, Are You Experienced, is considered by many critics to be one of the best rock albums of all time, and in 2005, the Library of Congress selected it for permanent preservation in the National Recording Registry, a list of sound recordings that “are culturally, historically, or aesthetically important, and/or inform or reflect life in the United States.”