Jimi Hendrix estate sued by former bandmate

An old friend of Jimi Hendrix is suing the late guitarist's estate, claiming it released one of his songs without authorisation or proper credit. Saxophonist Lonnie Youngblood claims he wrote the song Georgia Blues with Hendrix in 1969. A fixture of the New York blues scene, Youngblood met Hendrix in the mid 60s, when the guitarist was still performing under the name Jimmy James. They reportedly played together in Youngblood's band, before Hendrix went back to using his original surname and began exploring the psychedelic rock that made him famous. Even as Hendrix shot to fame, Youngblood says thy remained friends. In 1969, with Electric Ladyland among the top albums in the US, the pair spent a few days collaborating in a New York studio. "Jimi had moved on to another place by then, but it was his way of saying thank you," Youngblood told the Associated Press. However, Hendrix died of a drug overdose the following year and the songs were never formally released. But one, Georgia Blues, appears on a 2003 rarities compilation – and Youngblood claims that he is owed money. He has launched a lawsuit against the Hendrix estate, MCA Records, and the film director whose name adorns the anthology, Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Jimi Hendrix. As evidence of his authorship, Youngblood points to the song's lyrics. "I was born in George 27 years ago," Hendrix sings. Whereas the guitarist was born in Seattle, Washington, Youngblood was at the time a 27-year-old from Georgia. Youngblood claims he copyrighted the song in 2002, releasing it on the internet. And according to court papers, a lawyer from the Hendrix estate offered him $3,000 for rights to the song. Youngblood refused. Now 68, the still-active musician seeks unspecified damages for the song's release. "It's the principle," he explained. "I want my song back. They had no right to take my song."