Riki Hendrix (born Ricky Goodloe) was an American rock guitarist. He was a cousin of Jimi Hendrix. Riki Hendrix started performing in the 1970s and was a member of two funk bands, Booty People and General Caine. He eventually found popularity as a solo artist, particularly in Singapore. He allegedly died in January, 2026.https://www.facebook.com/oliviatosic/posts/10232591119540817/
Background Riki Hendrix was born in San Bernardino, California. A cousin of Jimi Hendrix, he came from a musical family and grew up in a household with jazz and classical musicians.Tri-Community NewsPlus, June 8, 2023 - Arts & culture, “Riki Hendrix Experience” Headlines This Years Wrightwood Houz ah Blues By Don Fish Jr He was originally known as Ricky Goodloe.
Though he was not well acquainted with his cousin, in his youth, Riki saw Jimi perform live.
Riki Hendrix played semi-pro baseball for a number of years. In the 1970s, he gave up his athletic career due to a knee injury. He then turned to music and changed his name.The Word Ha Noi, August 2011 - 024 Almost Famous The Other HendrixThe Straits Times, 19 July 2003 - Drugs are not for me, I'm an athlete
Riki Hendrix toured Asia, Europe and Canada. He also toured the United States with former Band of Gypsys members, Buddy Miles and Billy Cox in a tribute to Jimi Hendrix.Tri-Community NewsPlus, June 8, 2023 - Arts & culture, “Riki Hendrix Experience” Headlines This Years Wrightwood Houz ah Blues By Don Fish Jr
Career in bands 1970s - 1980s A childhood friend of Richard Le Mon Smith, he played in teenage bands with him. Along with Mitch McDowell, Robert Palmer, and Joe Phillips, they would be part of the group Booty People. They were recruited by B. B. Dickerson to open for the groups War and Tower of Power.Inland Empire Community Newspapers, May 16, 2013 - Page A7 "Lemonsmyth" was a musician, historian, and a valuable part of San Bernardino Americana By Harvey M. Kahn They opened for War in 1976 at the Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino,Inland Empire Community Newspapers, May 16, 2013 - Page A7 Riki Hendrix, Robert Palmer, and Lemonsmyth before opening for War in 1976 at San Bernardino Swing Auditorium. and for Tower of Power the same year at the Santa Barbara Bowl.Inland Empire Community Newspapers, May 16, 2013 - Page A7 Lemonsmyth and Riki Hendrix at San Barbara Bowl before opening for Tower of Power in 1976.
The group had success with the hit "Spirit of '76" which peaked at no. 63 on the Cash Box Top 100 R&B chart,Cash Box, June 19, 1976 - Page 43 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B June 19, 1976, 63 SPIRIT OF ’76 BOOTY PEOPLE (Calla CA 110), 6/12 65, Weeks On Chart 5Cash Box, June 26, 1976 - Page 41 CASH BOX TOP 100 R&B June 26, 1976 65 SPIRIT OF ’76 BOOTY PEOPLE (Calla CA 110), 6/19 63, Weeks On Chart 6 No. 55 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart,Billboard, June 26, 1976 - Page 52 Billboard Hot Soul Singles, Blllboard SPECIAL SURVEY For Week Ending 6/22/76, This Week 55, Last Week 57, Weeks on Chart 5MusicVF.com - Booty People Top Songs, Greatest Hits and Chart Singles Discography, 1976 1. 05/1976 #1 Spirit of '76 and No. 44 on the Record World R&B Singles chart.Record World, July 3, 1976 - Page 44 THE R&B SINGLES CHART JULY 3, 1976, JULY 3 44, JUNE 26 47, SPIRIT OF '76 BOOTY PEOPLE-Calla CAS 110
Mitch McDowell, Robert Palmer, and Joe Phillips left Booty People and formed General Caine. Hendrix also joined that group. He and Robert Palmer were the lead guitarists on the group's 1979 album Let Me In.Inland Empire Community Newspapers, May 16, 2013 - Page A7 "Lemonsmyth" was a musician, historian, and a valuable part of San Bernardino Americana By Harvey M. KahnFunk My Soul - General Caine – 1978 – General Caine (Let Me In)
Solo career It was reported by Billboard in the magazine's 12 July 1980 issue that Riki Hendrix had been signed to the management company, California Talent Agencies.Billboard, July 12, 1980 - Page 31 Signings
1990s and 2000s Riki Hendrix played guitar on the Buddy Miles album, Miles Away from Home that was released in 1997.Jazz Music Archives - BUDDY MILES — Miles Away from Home Line-up/Musicians
Along with Rosa Lee Brooks, he performed with Australian singer Jessie Sparks when she was in Los Angeles.Luck Media, 12/09/2011 - Jessie Sparks Picks Up Five Nominations
Appearing in Singapore, Hendrix's performance was reviewed by Melvin Singh in the 21 November 2003 issue of The New Paper. With Hendrix bending his guitar strings to the point of almost breaking, women in the audience were giggling while the men were transfixed.The New Paper, 21 November 2003 - Page 43 Riki wove magic on his guitar during preview performance - Melvin Singh
In December 2003, Hendrix played at Singapore's Summer of Love 2003 concert. He and his four-piece band appeared on stage with a children's choir, performing the song "Children of Tomorrow".Reverb Nation - Riki Hendrix, BioThe Straits Times, 1 December 2003 - (page unknown) Nine hours of rock, non-stop
Playing the 8:25pm – 8:50pm slot, Hendrix was the second opening act for Deep Purple at Fort Canning Park in Singapore on 10 April 2004. According to the Highway Star, his solos on "Star Spangled Banner" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" went down well as did his energetic performance and showmanship.The Highway Star, - Tour Reviews, 8.25pm - 8.50pm
Also in 2004, Hendrix's album, Rainbow Gypsy Child was released.AllMusic - Rainbow Gypsy Child, Riki Hendrix The album which featured two original members from The Band of Gypsys was mastered by Jaeson Jarrett and recorded at Metrosound Studios (Granada Hills) with engineer Tom Thomas.Mix Magazine, February 2005, Volume 29, Number 3 - Page 125 TRACK SHEET, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
On 20 November 2004, Riki Hendrix jammed on stage with Leon Hendrix, Buddy Miles and Buddy Miles Express guitarist Marlo Henderson at the La Jolla Hard Rock cafe.San Diego Reader, Dec. 2, 2004 - Leon Hendrix (Jimi's Brother) and Buddy Miles
Credited as Rick Hendrix, he also played on The Band of Gypsys Return album that featured Buddy Miles and Billy Cox, which was released in 2006.The Jimi Hendrix Record Guide - BILLY COX & BUDDY MILES – "Return Of The Band Of Gypsys"
2010s and 2020s On 3 July 2011, he played at the American Club in Hanoi for the Fourth of July Celebrations.The Word Ha Noi, August 2011 - 024 Almost Famous The Other Hendrix
In 2019, Riki and Leon Hendrix, with members of the Steve Miller Band (Greg Douglass), Blood Sweat & Tears, a Sha Na Na member (Jocko) and local rocker Roni Lee were booked to play at the Full Circle Saloon on 8528 Magnolia Avenue in Santee, California.San Diego Reader, Sunday, August 18, 2019 - Woodstocked: Riki & Leon Hendrix
His group, the Riki Hendrix Experience was booked as the headline act, appearing at the Wrightwood Place Performance Center on 10 June 2023.Tri-Community NewsPlus, June 8, 2023 - Arts & culture, “Riki Hendrix Experience” Headlines This Years Wrightwood Houz ah Blues By Don Fish Jr Hendrix and his band, which was made up of Gina Bee on keyboards, Dennis Sanchez on bass guitar, and "Thumper" Prudhome on drums played at the event in Wrightwood, CA. It was well received.Tri-Community NewsPlus, June 27, 2023 - Arts & Culture, Wrightwood’s “Houz Ah Blues” Let the Good Times Roll By T.A. Graydon
Personal life It was announced in the 19 July 2003 of The Straits Times and later that year by The New Paper that Riki Hendrix was to marry a Singaporean girl.The Straits Times, 19 July 2003 - Drugs are not for me, I'm an athleteThe New Paper, 21 November 2003 - Page 43 S'porean set to be a Mrs jenni Hendrix
Death According to Lucas Campbell of the Rock of Ages Radio Show, Riki Hendrix died in January 2026.Facebook - ROCK OF AGES RADIO SHOW with LUCAS CAMPBELL 17 January
Discography + Albums Act Release Catalogue Year Notes # Riki Hendrix Rainbow Gypsy Child PPL Records P-CDA-0604-3 2004
+ Band member or guest artist Act Release Catalogue Year Format Tracks Notes # album Booty People "Spirit Of '76" / "Anyway I'm Busted" Calla Records CAS-110 1976 single band member Booty People Booty People ABC Records AB-998 1977 album band member Booty People " Slappin' Five" / "Somethin' Simple" ABC Records ABC 22035 1977 single band member Booty People "Booty People" / "Slappin' Five" ABC Records ABC 22035 1977 single band member General Caine Let Me In Groove Time Records GTR-1001 1978 album band member General Caine The Best of General Caine (Pure Funk) Groove Time Records GTR-1006 1991 album band member Buddy Miles Miles Away from Home Hip-O Records HIPD-40141 1997 album "The Change", "Solve This Problem" guitar Billy Cox & Buddy Miles The Band of Gypsys Return Image Entertainment EXP3432, Experience Hendrix EXP3432 2006 album "Manic Depression" guitar
References
External links Discogs - Rick Hendrix EARTH vs SPACE MUSIC channel, Jan 17, 2026 - Guitarist Riki Hendrix Passes Away in January 2026, Cousin of Jimi Hendrix (video) bob hakins channel, Jun 9, 2017 - Riki Hendrix "Rainbow gypsy child" Bruce English Channel, Feb 18, 2020 - Riki Hendrix Blue Suede Shoes (video) Bruce English channel, Feb 18, 2020 - Riki Hendrix Rainbow Gypsy Child (video) Billy Cox Facebook post, 17 January 2026 - Billy Cox's post: A great guitarist and songwriter, a messenger of love has left us, Riki Hendrix.