Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
Maui Magic
This live performance of “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” on the slopes of the Haleakalā volcano in Maui captures Jimi Hendrix at his peak—raw, cosmic, and completely untethered. Filmed on July 30, 1970, for the ill-fated movie Rainbow Bridge, the set feels like a transmission from another planet against the surreal, volcanic backdrop. Hendrix’s guitar tone is searing, his phrasing unpredictable, and the trio, featuring Billy Cox and Mitch Mitchell, locks in with telepathic precision.
The event itself was designed as a “color/sound vibratory experiment” for the film, with an invitation-only crowd of about 500 curious Maui locals who were reportedly arranged by their astrological signs. Despite the technical chaos, which resulted in only 17 minutes of usable footage for the movie, Hendrix channels something elemental—equal parts deep blues roots and outer space—in a performance that echoes the exploratory spirit of “Third Stone From the Sun” and the emotional tension of “Love or Confusion.” It was among his final U.S. performances, and it remains a testament to Hendrix’s ability to conjure entire worlds from six strings.
Performance Details
| Song Title | "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" |
|---|---|
| Guitarist | Jimi Hendrix |
| Band | The Jimi Hendrix Experience |
| Lineup | Jimi Hendrix (guitar/vocals), Mitch Mitchell (drums), Billy Cox (bass) |
| Event | Filming for the movie Rainbow Bridge |
| Venue | Haleakala Volcano Slope |
| Location | Maui, Hawaii, USA |
| Date | July 30, 1970 |