In the kaleidoscopic swirl of the late 1960s rock scene, the lines between music, love, and chaos often blurred. One of the more intriguing, lesser-known chapters of that era involves a romantic entanglement between three prominent figures: Jimi Hendrix, Angela “Angie” King, and Eric Burdon, the iconic frontman of The Animals and later War.
By 1969, Eric Burdon had reinvented himself in Los Angeles, moving away from the British Invasion blues-rock fame of The Animals and immersing himself in the psychedelic, multicultural vibes of the West Coast. At the time, he was romantically involved with Angie King, a striking and free-spirited model and socialite known for moving effortlessly among elite rock circles. Angie wasn’t just a muse—she was a cultural fixture, admired not only for her beauty but also for her sharp intellect and magnetic personality.
Jimi Hendrix, already an international phenomenon by then, was living a whirlwind of fame and creativity. Despite his growing isolation and exhaustion from touring and fame, Hendrix maintained a powerful presence in the Los Angeles scene, often frequenting clubs like Whisky a Go Go and The Scene.
According to various accounts from the era—including those from close friends and Burdon himself—Hendrix met Angie King during a party in Hollywood in mid-1969. The two were instantly drawn to each other. While Burdon was said to be deeply infatuated with her, Angie found herself mesmerized by Hendrix’s charisma, vulnerability, and artistic intensity.
The “theft” of Angie from Burdon by Hendrix wasn’t a scandal in the traditional sense. The era was defined by a fluid sense of relationships, but this incident stung more than most. Burdon reportedly felt deeply betrayed and heartbroken, later referencing the emotional impact in interviews and indirectly through his lyrics. Hendrix and Angie’s relationship, while passionate, was also short-lived. It reflected more of a moment of connection between two creative souls than a lasting romance.
Though not widely documented in mainstream media, the story of Jimi, Angie, and Eric became something of a legend in the rock underground—a symbol of the volatile mix of fame, ego, and longing that defined the counterculture.
More than 50 years later, this brief triangle still captivates those fascinated by the human stories behind rock’s greatest icons. In a world where love and loyalty were as experimental as the music itself, this moment remains a poignant snapshot of three lives intersecting at the height of a cultural revolution.
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