Michael Jeffery (manager)

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Michael Jeffery (died March 5, 1973) was a music business manager of the 1960s who is best known for his management of British band The Animals and American guitarist-composer Jimi Hendrix, whom he co-managed for a time with former Animals bassist Chas Chandler.

A former associate of noted British pop impresario Don Arden, Jeffery was and remains a controversial figure. He has been openly condemned by members of The Animals, who blame him for the break-up the band, claiming that he worked the group into the ground.

Jeffery has received almost unanimous criticism from biographers of Hendrix. Several have alleged that Jeffery siphoned off much of Hendrix's income and channeled it into off-shore bank accounts, that Jeffery had dubious connections to U.S. intelligence services (it has been reported that Jeffery often claimed to have worked for the CIA) and that he had connections to organised crime.

However, it must be noted that, as yet, there has been no substantiation of these claims, although it is generally accepted that Jeffery mismanaged Hendrix's career and that he was in all likelihood responsible for the expropriation of much of the income Hendrix received during his brief period of stardom.

Jeffery was played by actor Billy Zane in the movie Hendrix. According to the DVD on the making of Electric Ladyland, Mr. Jeffery allegedly died in a mid-air collision between two planes near Spain.

Some people claim that he faked his death, and is hiding out.

In October 2006 a $15m auction took place of items of Michael Jeffery's estate including the rights to many of Jimi Hendrix hits including Purple Haze and Voodoo Child. A company owned by Hendrix's family has said it will prove it owns the title to these songs and has threatened to sue. [1]