Why Ringo Starr Evicted Jimi Hendrix from His Apartment

In the swinging ’60s, 34 Montagu Square, Marylebone, London, was more than just a residence — it was a hub of musical history. This unassuming ground-floor and basement apartment, leased by Ringo Starr during his Beatles days, became the backdrop for a fascinating chapter in the lives of two music legends: Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles.

The Apartment That Rocked:

Ringo Starr, known for his drumming prowess in The Beatles, leased this apartment during the mid-1960s. The band often used it as a creative retreat, with Paul McCartney even crafting demos for the “Revolver” album within its walls.

Enter Jimi Hendrix:

In December 1966, Jimi Hendrix and his girlfriend, Kathy Etchingham, moved into this iconic apartment. The rent was a mere £30 a month, a bargain even by 1960s standards. During his stay, Hendrix composed classics like “Purple Haze” and performed at the historic Monterey Pop Festival, partly due to Paul McCartney’s recommendation.

Why Ringo Starr Evicted Jimi Hendrix

However, Hendrix’s residency wasn’t without its share of turmoil. One infamous night, while under the influence of LSD, he decided to redecorate the apartment by splashing whitewash all over the walls (which Ringo had decorated expensively in advance). This artistic impulse led to his eviction by none other than Ringo Starr himself.

Hendrix’s eviction from the residence may seem somewhat severe, but one might speculate that this wasn’t the first such occurrence. Furthermore, considering that the property didn’t even belong to Ringo, caution was paramount. In fact, Ringo terminated the lease as early as 1969.

The Beatles’ Connection:

Despite the eviction, the bond between The Beatles and Hendrix remained strong. John Lennon and Yoko Ono later stayed at the same apartment for three months in 1968, immortalizing it with the controversial album cover for “Two Virgins.”

Legends Under One Roof:

34 Montagu Square stands as a symbol of the incredible friendships and creative sparks that characterized the music scene of the 1960s. From the melodies of The Beatles to the electric guitar wizardry of Jimi Hendrix, this apartment witnessed the magic of rock ‘n’ roll history.

Nowadays, the building proudly bears a memorial plaque with the inscription: “John Lennon, the celebrated musician and songwriter, 1940-1980, resided here in 1968.”