1966 Rock Force That Changed Guitar Music Forever Is Returning 60 Years Later
One of the most influential partnerships in rock history is getting a new tribute 60 years after it helped transform the sound of modern music.
Marshall has announced a new Marshall x Hendrix 60th Anniversary Collection celebrating six decades since Jimi Hendrix first plugged into a Marshall amplifier in 1966, a moment the company says helped create "an unstoppable creative force."
The limited-edition collection includes a redesigned Acton III Bluetooth speaker, a 1959 JMH Half Stack amplifier setup and a special Hendrix-inspired Fuzz Face distortion pedal. The products draw heavily from Hendrix's psychedelic visual style and the towering guitar sound that helped define late-1960s rock music.
"Marshall built the amps, Hendrix made them scream," the company said in announcing the collection.
The partnership between Hendrix and Marshall became one of the defining images of classic rock. From the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 to Woodstock in 1969, Hendrix's massive Marshall stacks became almost as iconic as the guitarist himself, helping create the explosive distortion-heavy sound that reshaped rock guitar forever.
According to Marshall, the new collection was inspired not only by Hendrix's music but also by his fashion, stage presence and fascination with science fiction and space imagery. The special-edition speaker features crushed velvet finishes, purple lighting and silver detailing designed to reflect Hendrix's "cosmic aesthetic."
"From his fashion to his lyrics and of course, his music, there are so many different stories we could tell when it comes to Hendrix," said Emma Rydahl, Senior Industrial Designer at Marshall Group. "We spent a lot of time adjusting the final design to get it just right across the whole collection."
The collection also includes a recreated version of Hendrix's famed amplifier setup, featuring the 1959 Handwired Head and matching 4x12 cabinet designed to deliver the same high-gain tones heard throughout Hendrix's groundbreaking performances and recordings.
Marshall also released a new promotional film tied to the anniversary collection featuring electrifying guitarist Zach Person, who travels to Hendrix's hometown of Seattle before testing the recreated 1959 JMH Half Stack. According to the company, the film follows Person as he explores the roots of Hendrix's legacy while putting the amplifier through the same kinds of soaring, distortion-heavy tones that helped make Hendrix one of the most influential guitarists in rock history.
Marshall co-founder Terry Marshall reflected on how closely the company's rise became tied to Hendrix's meteoric fame during the late 1960s.
"Jimi was a formidable musician, a real force of nature," Marshall said. "He took everything to a new level and carried everybody with him."
"There's no doubt that we grew with him and his fame," he continued. "The rest is history as they say."
The anniversary collection arrives as Hendrix's legacy continues to influence generations of guitarists more than 50 years after his death. Widely considered one of the greatest guitar players in rock history, Hendrix helped push amplification, distortion and live performance into entirely new territory during his brief but revolutionary career.
The Marshall x Hendrix 60th Anniversary Collection is available beginning May 12 through Marshall's website, with select retail availability beginning May 14.
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This story was originally published May 12, 2026 at 5:00 AM.