Editing Jimmy James and the Blue Flames (section)

==Background==
After his discharge from the United States Army in 1962, Jimi Hendrix toured and recorded with several well-known R&B artists, including [[the Isley Brothers]] and [[Little Richard]]. By 1965, he had become more or less established in New York's [[Harlem]] neighborhood and performed with local R&B outfits [[Curtis Knight and the Squires]] and [[King Curtis]]. However, by mid-1966, Hendrix became disillusioned with the confines of the R&B scene and barely subsistence-level wages.{{sfn|Roby|2002|pp=47–48}} Following the advice of folk singer and guitarist [[Richie Havens]], he began exploring New York's Greenwich Village, a bohemian-style enclave of Manhattan.{{sfn|Roby|2002|p=51}}

At the time, the Village had a vibrant and diverse music scene and Hendrix was able to land a gig at the [[Cafe Wha?]] backed by the house band. He soon attracted other musicians and settled on the name Jimmy James and the Blue Flames, although he would later sometimes refer to the band as "the Rain Flowers", "the Blue Flames" and "the Blue Flame".{{sfn|Roby|2002|p=50}} According to [[Randy California]], "All I remember was that it was being called Jimmy James & the Blue Flames. Maybe it was changed for one night&nbsp;... just for fun".{{sfn|Roby|1994}} Hendrix chose "the Blue Flames" as a nod to Memphis blues singer [[Junior Parker]]'s backup band (with the accomplished guitarists [[Pat Hare]], succeeded by [[Wayne Bennett (blues guitarist)|Wayne Bennett]] and [[Mel Brown (guitarist)|Mel Brown]]) and because it rhymed with his stage name, Jimmy James.{{sfn|Roby|2002|pp=51–52}}

At first, the band was a trio with Hendrix, bassist Randy Palmer and drummer Dan Casey.{{efn|Dan Palmer and Dan Casey both were from Texas and played in the band Clouds.{{sfn|Roby|1994}}}} They soon added a second guitarist, Randy Wolfe, who Hendrix met at [[Manny's Music]].{{sfn|Roby|Schreiber|2010|p=160}} With two Randys in the band, Hendrix called Wolfe "Randy California" and Palmer "Randy Texas" after their home states and, according to Roby, he became "Jimi James"{{sfn|Roby|2002|p=50}} (California was unaware that his last name was Hendrix until radio show host [[Dr. Demento]] showed him the ''Are You Experienced'' album cover and he heard the songs).{{sfn|Roby|1994}} Although [[Jeff Baxter]] claims that he sat in on bass when Palmer was unavailable,{{sfn|Roby|2002|p=53}} California did not recall him.{{sfn|Roby|1994}} Drummer Danny Taylor, who later played with [[Silver Apples]], also claims to have sat in with the band.{{sfn|Cross|2005|p=139}}