JIMI HENDRIX Estate Says It is Not Involved With 'All Is By My Side' Biopic

Experience Hendrix, LLC, the Hendrix family-owned company founded by James A. "Al" Hendrix, Jimi's father, entrusted with preserving and protecting the legacy of Jimi Hendrix, has released the following statement:

"Various media outlets have recently published accounts that indicate a feature-length Jimi Hendrix biographical film is nearing production. Experience Hendrix, LLC, the family-owned company entrusted with safeguarding the legacy of Jimi Hendrix and administrator of the Jimi Hendrix music and publishing catalog has made it known many times in the past that no such film, were it to include original music or copyrights created by Jimi Hendrix, can be undertaken without its full participation.

"Experience Hendrix CEO Janie Hendrix, sister of Jimi Hendrix, and the EH board have not ruled out a 'biopic' in the future though producing partners would, out of necessity, have to involve the company from the inception of any such film project if it is to include original Jimi Hendrix music or compositions."

Billboard.com reported earlier this week that OUTKAST rapper/singer Andre 3000 — also known as Andre Benjiman — has reportedly signed on to star as Jimi Hendrix in the upcoming biopic, called, "All Is By My Side". The movie, which is directed by John Ridley, is currently in pre-production and set to film over six weeks in Ireland later this year. The film will be based around the recording of the first JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE album, the 1967 classic "Are You Experienced?"

Andre 3000 has previously appeared in such high-profile movies as John Travolta's "Be Cool", Mark Wahlberg's "Four Brothers", and Will Ferrell's "Semi-Pro".

Janie Hendrix is astonished at the amount of new Hendrix film and recordings discovered each year. She's even gone on record saying that at this point, the archives have another 10 years worth of releases ready to go. The Pulse Of Radio asked her if she's been amazed at not only the amount of footage and recordings that have lasted throughout the years — but how many are in perfect condition. "Yeah, I have been," she said. "And it's like when we were working on Woodstock, and then after we discovered some black and white footage that, well, we didn't think existed — a student had filmed it. Also, not too long ago we discovered the Miami Pop film footage and it was in pristine condition. And you find that tape has survived and we're able to put out more releases because of that."

In celebration of what would have been Jimi Hendrix's 70th birthday this year, an official park will be opened in his name in his hometown of Seattle, Washington. The 2.5 acre Jimi Hendrix Park will be located in Seattle's Central district and "will include stepping stones featuring his lyrics, rain drums, a sculpted butterfly garden, a performance area, a sound garden and ample green space."

Donors include Janie Hendrix, the Parks and Green Spaces Opportunity Fund, along with the city's Neighborhood Matching Fund Award. No official opening day has been announced.