Classic Rock Rock
'Hey Joe' was originally an old American blues song that Jimi Hendrix turned into his 1966 rock debut single. Hendrix's fiery guitar playing and distinctive wah-wah intro propelled the brooding lyrics about a fugitive ('I'm going down to shoot my old lady') onto the charts. It became his first hit in the UK (peaking at #6 in late 1966) and introduced global audiences to his virtuoso style. Hendrix’s wild performance of 'Hey Joe' – packed with distortion and feedback – helped redefine rock guitar, turning a folk-blues narrative into a psychedelic classic.