Report: Jimi Hendrix getting Rock Band treatment [update]

While Activision may be moving away from heaping artist-centric Guitar Hero games on the market, it appears Rock Band is sliding in there to fill the void. According to a story in the L.A. Times, Jimi Hendrix stepsister Janie (who also controls his estate) says that a Rock Band game based on the legendary guitarist is slated to arrive before year's end.

We know that the officially announced Green Day: Rock Band won't be the only franchise release this year, so Hendrix: Rock Guy is definitely a possibility. But the mainstream press is bad enough about confusing Rock Band and Guitar Hero that we'll hold off on placing our pre-orders until we've heard something official.

Wow, either the L.A. Times is wrong or Slash is wrong. Whoever wins, we lose.

[Update: We just heard back from a Harmonix spokesperson, and there isn't a standalone product in the works. The official statement: "While we have not made any official announcements regarding Jimi Hendrix and Rock Band, we are excited to say that we are in discussions to bring more of his music to our platform. Stay tuned."]

[Via Billboard; thanks, TheWeaponeer]

Reader Comments (66)

I actually played Rock Band with my teeth (well my chin, but it was my face) once. I didn't do to good because I couldn't see the screen though.

Another thing that the mainstream press is really bad at is understanding the difference between track packs and stand-alone games.

I always forget, but whenever I see Jimi Hendrix playing his guitar upside down, left handed, it blows my mind.

I eagerly await Jimi Hendrix's avatar pogoing to 'Spiderwebs' by No Doubt or something equally horrific.

God, I am tired of speculation being drawn out into fake news which in turn damages the reputation of the companies involved. Harmonix has worked really hard to not over-saturate their market and people taking these rumors and running them like fact does not help the general health of the already ailing music game market. There is nothing in that article that implies that Jimi is getting his own game. Here's the quote:

"At the time the deal was completed, Sony vowed to make his music "available through every type of media" -- including a new edition of Rock Band that Janie Hendrix says should appear before the end of this year."

Meaning Hendrix material will be in a new Rock Band game by the end of the year, like the not announced but pretty much acknowledged Rock Band 3. No mention of a stand alone game. This is just sloppy journalism.

I'm sorry that you guys feel that way, but Jimi Hendrix had more talent than all four of the Beatles, combined.

This.

*Hendrix's pinkie finger

Personally I wish Rock Band or Guitar Hero was like $20 and came with 10-15 songs. Then you just buy whatever music you want via DLC. I hatee having to play songs I would never listen to normally.

That would be terrible. Judging from my Live experience with Rock Band 2, the only songs that the vast majority of players download are the free ones.

Well.. I would never play Rock Band on Live with strangers. That's just dumb. It's a party game. If you're seriously playing this alone in your room that's friggin' lame. So no, it's not terrible. It's a good alternative Idea. They'd have an extra sale off me if I didn't have to play a yeah yeah yeah's song.

Good, then it looks like they are looking to add to the DLC section. I think this is what should happen. If these companies keep barfing out ego-based game after ego-based game - the entire genre will collapse on itself and none of them will sell. I already see the beatles used for $25...there's some staying power.

Keep supporting the store and last game by adding more DLC.

And another thing - the quickest way to get people to pass over your next game would be to disallow any previously purchased DLC from working with the new game.

You don't need to reinvent the wheel.

A Green Day: Rock Band- style treatment for Hendrix would be great, and if it is exportable, so much the better.

wow, WOW. if Harmonix made a Hendrix-centric game, I would pay anything for it. Please please please please!

I got nothing against Green Day (I even like some of their music), but a "Jimi Hendrix: Rock Band" would be 100x greater.

I hope this is wrong. Jimi Hendrix was arguably the greatest guitarist of all-time. So shouldn't he be on the game with the better guitar engine?

GH: Hendrix please.

@ All 7000 people who are going to downvote me: suck my dick. All the downvotes in the world can't destroy the truth.

Report: Jimi Hendrix getting Rock Band treatment [update]

Reader Comments (66)

Posted: Feb 17th 2010 2:53PM bongoes said

Posted: Feb 17th 2010 11:59AM Jayeffaar said

Posted: Feb 17th 2010 12:00PM The Albatross said

Posted: Feb 17th 2010 12:02PM Dale P said

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Posted: Feb 17th 2010 12:13PM Zoot Suit Jedi Grammar Hammer En said

Posted: Feb 17th 2010 12:40PM reebo said

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Posted: Feb 17th 2010 12:19PM whylekat said

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Posted: Feb 17th 2010 7:35PM (Unverified) said

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