The Jimi Hendrix Experience Release Their Debut Single “Hey Joe”

On This Day 16th December 1966

On this day in history, The Jimi Hendrix Experience released their debut single “Hey Joe” in the UK through Polydor Records a track that would introduce British audiences to a guitarist who would soon redefine rock music forever.

Surprisingly, the song was rejected by Decca Records, one of the major labels of the day. Their loss became one of the greatest “missed opportunities” in music history. Polydor quickly picked it up, and “Hey Joe” climbed the UK charts to reach No.6, staying there for 12 weeks.

Despite becoming a signature Hendrix performance and a staple of his live shows, the song failed to chart in the United States, where Hendrix was still relatively unknown until his explosive return from London in 1967.

“Hey Joe” wasn’t written by Hendrix; it was a well travelled American folk song with roots in the early 1960s. Dozens of artists had already recorded versions, but none sounded anything like Hendrix’s interpretation. His version slow, smouldering, driven by his fluid guitar lines and the Experience’s tight rhythm section transformed the song into something dark, dramatic, and utterly original.

When Hendrix stepped into the studio, he was ready. He had been playing the song nightly in the clubs of Greenwich Village, developing the arrangement that would become the definitive version.

It was Chas Chandler, former Animals bassist and now Hendrix’s manager, who first saw the magic in the song. Chandler discovered Hendrix performing at the Café Wha? in New York City in July 1966. One evening, he watched as Hendrix tore through a fierce, slow-burning rendition of “Hey Joe,” inspired by the version recorded by American folk singer Tim Rose.

Chandler knew immediately that this had to be Hendrix’s debut single. He brought Hendrix to London shortly afterwards and formed The Jimi Hendrix Experience with Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell. “Hey Joe” became the doorway through which Hendrix stepped into international stardom.

Within months, Hendrix would launch a revolution in electric guitar playing one that began with a song Decca didn’t want.

Walk Through Hendrix’s London Story

On my Rock & Roll Tour of Soho, we visit the clubs, streets, and studios that shaped Rock history. We will also visit the Soho music venue where he gave his first UK official performance shocking every British guitar hero into stunned silence. We will visit the recording studio that he used for rehearsal purpose and pass the shop where he bought his braided military jackets.

📆 Please check the Calendar in the main menu for tour dates and times.

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