Jimi Hendrix Could Be the Next to Get the AI Beatles Treatment
Jimi Hendrix might be the next artist where artificial intelligence technology is utilized to complete or create new music.
The topic was broached with producer/engineer Eddie Kramer on The Vinyl Guide podcast. Kramer says, in part, “It’s really very advanced digital manipulation, and now the technology has become so evolved. I’m sure if we found another tape [on which] Jimi’s voice is buried, I know I could use something similar, which I’ve done before, but now it’s going to be on a much higher level.”
So far, there has been no confirmation from the Hendrix estate about going through the vaults and creating new music.
The Beatles, AI and “Now And Then”
This year saw the release of the final Beatles song “Now And Then.” The song was famously completed with the help of AI technology. As previously reported, the track’s origins stem from a John Lennon demo that was first worked on by Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr in 1995 as part of The Beatles Anthology.
Peter Jackson and his team were able to develop new audio technology while making the 2021 docuseries The Beatles: Get Back. This technology made it possible to isolate Lennon’s vocals on the demo and to digitally clean them up. As a result, “Now And Then” could be completed.
Along with the audio track, an accompanying music video for “Now And Then” was released. The video was also helmed by Jackson.
The video features a dizzying mix of present-day McCartney and Starr cut together with classic footage of Lennon and Harrison. At one point, you see McCartney and Starr recording vocals next to ’60s versions of Lennon and Harrison.
Another memorable part of the video shows Lennon superimposed into the recording session of the new string arrangement for “Now And Then.” He is seen playfully conducting the musicians during the recording session.
