Jimi Hendrix headlining new Rock Band this year?

Source: Comments made by Jimi Hendrix's stepsister and estate holder Janie Hendrix to the LA Times as part of a feature on the celebrated guitarist.

What we heard: In 2009, Activision went on a rhythm-game bender, releasing stand-alone games ranging from Guitar Hero 5, Guitar Hero: Metallica, Guitar Hero: Van Halen, and Guitar Hero: Smash hits to spin-offs DJ Hero and Band Hero. Late in 2008, it appeared as if legendary rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix, too, would receive his own installment in the Guitar Hero franchise. However, considering Activision's new stance on the slumping rhythm genre, that occurrence seems more and more unlikely.

Of course, that's to say nothing of rival MTV Games and Harmonix. On the eve of Hendrix's newest posthumous release--Valleys of Neptune, due March 9--Janie Hendrix told the LA Times that Sony Music intends to make the rocker's catalog "available through every type of media." Janie went on to note that one facet of that proliferation would be "a new edition of Rock Band" that would be out by the end of the year.

Harmonix has certainly entered the business of making band-exclusive installments in its Rock Band franchise. Last year, the studio found success with The Beatles: Rock Band, which has sold more than 1 million units worldwide. MTV Games and EA Partners are also collaborating on Green Day: Rock Band, which will be available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii this year.

Thus far, only one song from Hendrix's catalog has made it into the Rock Band franchise. A playable version of "Fire" from the guitarist's debut album Are You Experienced was available in last year's Lego Rock Band.

The official story: Unfortunately, Jimi Hendrix Experience: Rock Band doesn't currently appear to be in the cards. An MTV Games representative told GameSpot that "We are not doing a stand-alone game" devoted to Hendrix's music.

That said, it appears as if Harmonix and Hendrix's estate plan to expand the famed musician's offerings in the Rock Band platform. "While we have not made any official announcements regarding Jimi Hendrix and Rock Band, we are excited to say that we are in discussions to bring more of his music to our platform. Stay tuned," the MTV Games rep said.

Bogus or not bogus?: Bogus that Harmonix is at work on Jimi Hendrix Experience: Rock Band. Looking not bogus that additional Hendrix music is headed to the Rock Band platform.