1. The Jimi Hendrix ExperienceElectric Ladyland
Jimi Hendrix was really, really important to me and the close group of friends who became part of that Burton Street scene, which then led to the Pogues emerging. We just used to listen to him constantly. It’s just the noise of the guitar, and his whole attitude – he was just so cool. ‘Voodoo Child’ was sort of an anthem for us. It’s possibly fair to say that my favourite Hendrix songs are actually on Axis: Bold As Love, but I think Electric Ladyland is the most ‘Jimi Hendrix’ Jimi Hendrix record. It’s the distillation. I think listening to this was the first time when you became aware of things like the crucial importance of the rhythm section. Shane loved Jimi Hendrix too. Siobhan [MacGowan, his sister] mentioned in her eulogy that when Jimi Hendrix died, Shane spent the whole day with his face turned to the wall.
