A heated rock. That’s what first strikes you at the Jimi Hendrix Memorial Viewpoint in Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo. This isn’t just any rock. This is the heart of a memorial dedicated to the legendary Jimi Hendrix.
The Jimi Hendrix Memorial Viewpoint. It’s a quiet tribute tucked away near the African Savanna exhibit. It’s easy to miss unless you know what you’re looking for. Yet its story is powerful. It all began in 1980. Seattle radio station KZOK launched a fundraising campaign. They aimed to honor the iconic musician. They raised nearly $30000.
Initially the city resisted. They were hesitant to memorialize a rock star associated with drug use. But KZOK’s promotion director Janet Wainwright persisted. She found an unlikely ally in Woodland Park Zoo Director David Hancocks. Hancocks envisioned a subtle yet fitting memorial. A viewpoint overlooking the savanna. It would be a tribute to Hendrix’s music a fitting tribute.
The design by Larry Buckingham and Ellen Ziegler was inspired by Hendrix’s song “Third Stone from the Sun”. A large heated rock symbolized the sun and Hendrix’s fiery music. A mosaic walkway in a flame design surrounded the rock. Purple flowering bushes a nod to “Purple Haze” completed the scene.
The dedication in 1983 saw Jimi’s father Al Hendrix in attendance. Parks Superintendent Walt Hundley initially opposed the idea. He later praised Wainwright’s perseverance. He recognized the memorial’s significance.
Years later the inscription on the central rock is worn away. The countless feet of visitors have etched their own tribute. Children and adults alike have experienced the joy this memorial bestows. The Jimi Hendrix Memorial Viewpoint. It’s a testament to Hendrix’s enduring legacy. It’s a symbol of his music’s enduring power. It’s a quiet corner in the zoo that speaks volumes.