On this day, October 23, 1966, the Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded their first single, "Hey Joe."

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Hat tip, This Day in Music

1966 - Jimi Hendrix
The Jimi Hendrix Experience recorded their first single 'Hey Joe', at De Lane Lea studios in London. The earliest known commercial recording of the song is the late-1965 single by the Los Angeles garage band the The Leaves; the band then re-recorded the track and released it in 1966 as a follow-up single which became a hit.

The best version is the one done by the Leaves.

Hey Joe



The Leaves' third release of "Hey Joe"

Single by the Leaves
B-side:
"Be With You" (1st pressing)
"Girl From The East" (2nd pressing)
"Funny Little World" (3rd pressing)
Released: November 1965, April 1966
Songwriter(s):
Public Domain (1st pressing)Dino Valenti a.k.a. Chet Powers (2nd & 3rd pressings)Billy Roberts (copyrighted)
Producer(s): Norm Ratner

"Hey Joe" is an American song from the 1960s that has become a rock standard and has been performed in many musical styles by hundreds of different artists. The lyrics tell of a man who is on the run and planning to head to Mexico after shooting his unfaithful wife. In 1962, Billy Roberts registered "Hey Joe" for copyright in the United States.

In late 1965, Los Angeles garage band the Leaves recorded the earliest known commercial version of "Hey Joe", which was released as a single. They re-recorded the song and released it in 1966 as a follow-up single, which became a hit in the US. In October 1966, Jimi Hendrix recorded "Hey Joe" for his first single with the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

{snip}

Authorship

{snip}

Singer Tim Rose recorded the song in 1966, and copyrighted it as his own arrangement of a traditional song. No documentary evidence has been forthcoming to support an assertion that "Hey Joe" is a wholly traditional work. Rose later told writer Richie Unterberger that he had learned the song in 1960 from folk singer Vince Martin.

Jimi Hendrix Experience



1967 American picture sleeve

Single by the Jimi Hendrix Experience
B-side: "Stone Free"
Released: October 23, 1966
Studio: De Lane Lea, London

When Jimi Hendrix was exploring a more rock-oriented sound in New York City in 1966 with his group Jimmy James and the Blue Flames, "Hey Joe" was one of the first songs he performed regularly. His arrangement used a slower tempo reminiscent of Tim Rose's recent single version, which he had heard on a juke box. Looking for musical acts to produce, Chas Chandler, the ex-bassist for the Animals, checked out Hendrix. By chance, the first song Hendrix performed during Chandler's visit was "Hey Joe", a song Chandler was interested in promoting. As a result, Chandler decided to take Hendrix with him to England in September 1966, where he would subsequently turn the guitarist into a star.

{snip}

[Zambero]

1. There were also versions by Love and The Byrds

I give the Leaves a nod for the best version, with Hendrix a close second. He slowed the tempo down and made it his own with some otherworldly guitar licks.

[ProfessorGAC]

2. Always Loved The Laid Back Vibe...

...in stark contrast to the lyrics.
Jimi's Strat tone is so full & round!