I believe the sleeping pills/vomit story, and think he was just careless and a bit unlucky. Musically, he was probably a genious, but as far as being smart about the way he lived, I sort of doubt that. He needed glasses, but wouldn't wear them; cracked up his car as a result, it's been said. Lost the master for Axis in a NY cab, according to accounts, and they had to remix the whole thing (wouldn't it be something if that re-surfaced after all these years?). I saw him play once, and was impressed with how loose and natural he acted, not like the drug crazed wild man he was reputed to be. But those were pretty intense times, and a lot of people lived close to the edge, especially the creative ones.

I've got one of his (probably thousands) of demo or sketchpad tapes, where he was roughing out ideas for Electric Ladyland. I think a lot of people would be surprised by how crude it is.

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