“You’re a Hendrix and your future is bright.”
Leon Hendrix

The year is 1966. Newly acclaimed Seattle-native guitarist, James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix, and his band the Jimi Hendrix Experience, have hit the music scene - beginning their first tour in the UK. Within less than a year, the group would become one of the highest grossing tours in the world, releasing popular singles - “Hey Joe”, “Purple Haze”, and many more.

For the next 4 years, Jimi Hendrix would establish himself as one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century. Beginning the height of his career in 1969, he would perform a famous version of “The Star Spangled Banner” in front of thousands at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair. Touring again in 1970 with the Jimi Hendrix Experience, he would endure a rigorous schedule, abruptly ending in his death, at age 27, on September 18th.

Skip ahead to Friday - September 24th, 2004. The King County Superior Court House in downtown Seattle is host to friends, family, and foe in yet another battle for the Jimi Hendrix estate – now worth more than $80 million. The probate trial, which began on June 28th 2004, involved close relatives and recently - just a week after the thirty-four year anniversary of Jimi’s death - the issue that would decide the future managers of his memory and money came to an anticlimactic close.

Behind the doors to room 321, the Honorable Judge Jeffrey Ramsdell read aloud a 35-page decision in a full-to-capacity, standing room only, sold out show of sorts attended by supporters and reporters alike. Immediate members of the Hendrix family wore t-shirts proclaiming, “Jimi’s blood runs through me,” and milled amidst whispers. Tension was high, but hopes were higher with hugs, smiles, and praises to heaven, which were exchanged between Leon Hendrix - Jimi’s younger brother - and his children. They entered the courtroom to hear the verdict that could possibly include them in the Hendrix legacy once again.

Leon stated in regard to his family ties, “My dad said that my children and I would always be taken care of because we’re blood. There’s no blood there now. We are the bloodline.” In 1997, James Allen (“Al”) Hendrix - father of Jimi, and brother Leon Hendrix - rewrote his will for the fourth and final time before his death in April 2002. The revised version left adopted daughter, Janie Hendrix, with 48 percent of the estate and Leon with, rather than the previous 24 percent, a well-polished commemorative gold record.

Leon, who was joined by nearly a dozen disenfranchised family members, cousin Diane Hendrix, and Janie’s sister, Linda Jinka, sought receipt of a more fair share of the family estate, trusts, rights and companies. The left-out beneficiaries also strove for the removal of Janie from head of Experience Hendrix LLC (E.H.), the company from which the Hendrix trusts receive funding and to which Janie was appointed as manager in 1995. Under Janie and cousin Robert Hendrix’s management, E.H. has earned $45 million, and is ranked in Forbes as ninth in the top-earning deceased-celebrity list.

E.H., however, is still recovering from debt as a result of previous lawsuits involving copyrights. It was Al’s desire that this debt be paid before any claims were made to money in the estate. This is the primary reason behind the lack of funds received by struggling family members. The debt is expected to be remunerated in 2010, which led Diane Hendrix to ask, “Why are [Janie and Robert] taking these elaborate wages when Uncle wanted this debt paid off? That includes them; that does not just include the beneficiaries who aren’t getting paid.”

The suit accused Janie of undue influence, “torturous interference”, and a vendetta against Leon that resulted in his disinheritance. It alleged that Al Hendrix had been manipulated - sick and feeble in his old age - incapable of understanding the significance of the signature that disinherited his younger son. Janie defended that her father did not discuss the will with her, and that Leon had estranged himself from Al and the family through drug addiction and demands for money. She also suspected that Leon was being manipulated by his manager, and believed that Al feared his son might sell his part of the estate outside the family.

At Leon’s right hand was his “white warrior”, Craig Dieffenbach. Leon says of Dieffenbach, “Craig is one of my best friends. He’s the one that had faith in me at first. He’s the infantry; he’s the fighter, the samurai. I love him and respect him.” Dieffenbach - a real estate developer, self-proclaimed failed bass player turned music producer, and Leon’s manager - is responsible for personally funding the suit against Janie which may never have otherwise made it to trial. “I just wanted to expose Janie for who she was.” He and Leon decided to “kick up some dust.” Now, more than just dust, the battle has been waging for years.

Then there are the collaborative suits from Linda Jinka and Diane Hendrix - both of whom are included in Al’s will - to remove Janie from her position at E.H.. Linda joined the ranks after attempting to borrow money - only to discover she was entitled to a percentage of the estate. She called this unearthing “the straw that broke the camel’s back.” Not only that, “All I wanted was the truth. All I want now is the truth,” stated Linda. “I know it’s a terrible thing, sister going after sister, but isn’t there enough money, enough compassion, isn’t there enough that the whole family can be involved in the company in one way or another? That the family can all be getting something?”

Diane Hendrix felt a duty to intervene, “There was injustice that was being done to everybody. To my family and myself and my brother. There was no consideration, not even a little bit, none.” When Diane discovered she was entitled to 9 percent of the legacy - none of which she had seen or touched - she chose to file suit despite the fact that a victory for Leon would likely result in a lesser share of the family funds for herself. “Jimi would have been very sad to see the situation as it is today. He would have been extremely sad because he loved his family, all of them and a lot of them are not even thought of or taken care of.”

So the silent, stuffy courtroom, combining a variance of allegers, accused, trusted, and trustees - each present for different reasons and yet all for the same: money – waited in anticipation to have their futures told and their lives changed. The verdict is read. At this moment, the doors to the courtroom open, cameras rush in and stolid faces file out. There is both finality and an air of weary continuance.

Leon will remain excluded from the multimillion-dollar inheritance. Judge Ramsdell found apparent justification for Al to have disinherited his son, also that the father seemed fully aware of his actions. As of this publication, Leon’s civil suit is still pending. It is not a full victory for Janie and Robert Hendrix, however. They are found inapt management and will be removed from control of three of seven beneficiaries’ trusts, which represent 17 percent of the estate. Even so, they will continue to manage the companies, E.H. included. Judge Ramsdell stated in his finding, “Janie was the family member Al trusted most.”

Janie exits the courtroom with brief greetings and Robert responds indirectly to the verdict, “I think the judge did what judges do. I think the facts speak for themselves.” Linda emerges, victorious in her share, “I was happy to win. Janie was happy to keep control of the estate. I stuck my neck out but I’m so relieved.” Soft spoken Diane appears next. She later explains that the most difficult aspect of the trial and verdict was dredging up Leon’s past - a past that Diane feels is nearly impossible to escape - and his current success and effort at turning his life around is simply not recognized.

She and her husband have plans to collaborate on an album, art, and promote support for youth in abusive situations. They will do this through an organization, Athletes and Artists Against Abuse, using Jimi and the Hendrix name as a catalyst. Leon exits the courtroom with his children at foot and despite being left with little more than hope for appeal, he is collected, “I’m not worried, because I know that I am the legacy and the DNA. I’m playing my music just like Jimi told me to do and I will prevail in the end.” He makes a quick escape, disappearing down the back stairwell and has since returned to rehearsals and the recording studio.

The Leon Hendrix band is currently working on their second CD. “We’re only a trio, but this is the most powerful trio you’ve ever heard,” says Leon. Lastly, out shuffles Dieffenbach, who grins wide and says he feels pretty damn OK considering he just lost $4 million dollars. His reaction to the verdict: “shocked. I was completely shocked. The judge said Janie wasn’t credible, she lied, badgered her father and had a campaign against Leon, but it didn’t rise to the level of undue influence which is just short of torture.” Dieffenbach now will direct his attention to his Columbia City pizzeria, Tutta Bella - one of 114 restaurants in the world recognized for its authentic Neapolitan pizza. He can be found scaling the scaffolding around a theater renovation currently underway, behind the restaurant. Can you guess who is scheduled to feature at its grand opening? Yup - the Leon Hendrix band. Finally, as the echoing hall empties, a janitor meanders through and asks anyone, “So, who won?”