Former Thin Lizzy guitarist Gary Moore led an all-star tribute to The Jimi Hendrix Experience at a special 40th anniversary Monterey DVD launch in London’s West End last night (October 25).

Celebrating 40 years since The Jimi Hendrix Experience first played the Monterey International Pop Festival, the revolving tribute band at The Hippodrome included two former Experience members; drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Billy Cox as well as Primal Scream‘s drummer Darrin Mooney and Dave Bronze on bass.

Left-handed guitarist Gary Moore kicked off the concert with the classic ‘Purple Haze’ backed by Mooney and Bronze. That combination powered through seven tracks including ‘Foxy Lady’ and ‘Angel’.

After ‘Fire’, Mooney and Broze left the stage to make way for Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox (pictured above) to come on and play three tracks – including an amazing ‘Hey Joe’. The pair were originally part of the original Band Of Gypsys Woodstock festival line-up.

Bronze and Mooney then returned to jam with Moore for a blistering fifteen minute ‘Voodoo Chile’.

The special launch evening had started with an introduction by former NME writer Keith Altham telling anecdotes about his experience of the Monterey International Pop Festival and a screening of the film to the packed house.

‘Jimi Hendrix Live at Monterey: The Definitive Edition’ celebrating the 40th anniversary of Hendrix’s debut at the legendary Monterey Pop Festival is released next Monday (October 29).

Last night’s full set list was:

(Gary Moore/Darrin Mooney/Dave Bronze)

Purple Haze

Fire

(Gary Moore/Mitch Mitchell/Billy Cox)

Red House

Hey Joe

(Gary Moore/Darrin Mooney/Dave Bronze

Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)

The original Monterey International Pop Festival set list was:

18th June, 1967

Killing Floor

Wild Thing

Check out the official Jimi Hendrix website here:www.jimihendrix.com

For more details about the film, check out:www.hendrixatmonterey.com

PIC CREDIT: MARK SHENLEY