Billy Roberts "Hey Joe"- first ever recording 1961/62

This is the very first recording of the song "Hey Joe", ever made. Is is a home demo recording by the song's writer, Billy Roberts. The song has a long and complicated history regarding it's authorship, but this is the absolute first version ever recorded, in 1961/62, as a favor to Billy Roberts friend Barry Friedman. I received a CDR copy of this ree-to-reel tape in the early 2000's from Billy then lawyer/manager. I have edited together some historical footage of prisoners from the 30's and 40's to aid the song visually, as the images seem to fit the tone of the song very well.

Пікірлер: 2 000

  • @jeffstewart3342
    @jeffstewart33422 ай бұрын

    I never even knew this existed. Thank you for turning me on to this hidden gem .

  • @tonyr.3435

    @tonyr.3435

    Ай бұрын

    I'm 62 and never knew this existed either, I figured Hendrix had penned it. This is really cool. Edit to add: this was uploaded 4 years ago! As much prog rock I listen to here on utube I'm surprised I hadn't seen this before

  • @xxxxxxxx3476

    @xxxxxxxx3476

    Ай бұрын

    Absolutely agree with you . It certainly is a hidden gem .

  • @MrZombayu

    @MrZombayu

    Ай бұрын

    And Santa?

  • @SatelliteSoundLab

    @SatelliteSoundLab

    Ай бұрын

    same here.

  • @richarddennis4345

    @richarddennis4345

    Ай бұрын

    @jeffstewart3342 bit of a longshot but were you partial to a becherovka 22 years ago?

  • @stephendoriankutos4429
    @stephendoriankutos44294 жыл бұрын

    I just wanted to thank everyone for watching and all the comments. People have been overwhelmingly positive and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

  • @jasonlynn1017

    @jasonlynn1017

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for clarifying history and bettering culture, and generously posting this version for free. Are there in concert versions? Did Roberts ever meet or communicate with Hendrix or Bonniwell?

  • @stephendoriankutos4429

    @stephendoriankutos4429

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@jasonlynn1017 Thanks for the lovely comment. From what I understand, Billy Recorded a few versions of song through the years, including a disco version in the late 70's, never got to hear those. I don't think Billy ever got to meet or speak with Hendrix or Bonniewell. As I've been able to piece it together, Billy and Dino Valenti did know each other. Dino actually copyrighted the song trying to steal it from Billy., some say Billy assigned the rights to him for a time to help Dino when he got busted on drugs, but his manager said that wasn't true Dino just tried to steal it. So Dino Valenti knew him and learned the song. Dino then became friends with and lived with David Crosby. Dino is the one who actually inspired the name The Byrds. Crosby learned the song from Dino. Crosby loved the song and the Byrds performed it, but didn't record it for there first two albums. Meanwhile a roadie for The Byrds, Bryan Mclean joins/forms his own band Love. Bryan takes Hey Joe with him and Love start performing it. Now the song is getting exposure in LA. Members of The Leaves ask Johhny Ecchols of Love if they could get a copy of the lyrics, Johnny says sure, but make slight alterations as a prank. The Leaves become the first to record and release the song as a single and it's a minor national hit. Love is kinda mad that the didn't record it first, so they include it on their first album. Crosby is pissed that The Byrds didn't trust him that it was great, so they record it for the 5D album. Now the song is out there and sort of popular. Tim Rose hears the Leaves version (you can tell as up until this point the lyric has been "where you goin with that MONEY in your hand" but the Leaves version and most versions after it say "Gun in your hand", and does an arrangement where he slows it way down, adds a little riff at the beginning for his first album. Tim Rose is playing the Cafe' Wha, where Hendrix is also playing just before going to england, hears it, loves it, steals the arrangement and records his version and it becomes internationally recognized and copied, and that how the song is what it is today.

  • @Scratiznutz

    @Scratiznutz

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@stephendoriankutos4429 What an insightful story. Thankyou for sharing this.

  • @JM-ms6uo

    @JM-ms6uo

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@stephendoriankutos4429 Hendrix never credited Billy Roberts on his recording he credited Dino Valenti, makes one wonder as Roberts has been contested as being the original writer of this song. Very interesting stuff, check out the original Reprise records credits on Hendrix. kzread.info/dash/bejne/hqVsrMGQddTHh6g.html

  • @stephendoriankutos4429

    @stephendoriankutos4429

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@JM-ms6uo So, the story is that Dino knew Billy and learned the song from him. When Dino went out to the west coast he published it under his name. When Billy went to publish the song a little later, he found out what Dino had done. Billy's lawyers basically straightened it out, they got Dino to admit he stole it. Billy got the copyright back, but he did have to give a percentage to the company Dino published it with to make the deal go smoothly. By that time Dino had taught it to David Crosby, and it became an L.A. standard in the coming years.

  • @neilhenson3540
    @neilhenson35402 жыл бұрын

    I played with the actual Billy Roberts back in 1976 on a cruse liner from New Zealand to Italy. We did two gigs on that ship Billy played Acustic guitar and vocals, A French guy did bass guitar and I was on drums. Neat guy, he was kind and had a special charisma about him.RIP Bill.

  • @MrSomethingElse

    @MrSomethingElse

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hey so you can authenticate this is him? very cool.

  • @neilhenson3540

    @neilhenson3540

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@MrSomethingElse I have a picture of Bill taken at Messina italy when he left our boat, I do not have a recording of his voice to compare the video that is here but highly highly likely that the audio recording in this clip is from Bill. I can confirm I did play in on a couple of impromptu performances with bill Roberts on that ocean liner "SS Galileo Galilei" in 1976 .. Thank you for taking the interest Mr Tupuhi

  • @MrSomethingElse

    @MrSomethingElse

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@neilhenson3540 Thanks man. A real treat as I've never heard this version. I love the lyrics, it makes it more of a cohesive linear story where Dylans version is a bit more disjointed. It will definitely be in my playlist from now on.

  • @willisgemutlich2608

    @willisgemutlich2608

    2 жыл бұрын

    what the??? I've been arguing with people I meet that roy buchanan coined it for 20 years and not jimi, and now THIS? YES please let the record industry get honest. I've been ranting for longer than that about the record having the artist's name on it, but "they didn't have space on the cassettes" then it continues with cds and now the only way to learn is if you hear about lawsuits... i miss buying a record with a foldout with the lyrics and art, man, and I'm only 41. They're stealing our culture and it's almost gone. If your link doesn't work I'll get back at you, I GOTTA know more about this.

  • @willisgemutlich2608

    @willisgemutlich2608

    2 жыл бұрын

    yeah, link didn't work.

  • @martyacosta2335
    @martyacosta23352 жыл бұрын

    I played this song in our garage band back in 1965. I was 10 years old. We played it at the battle of the bands on Cermak Ave in Chicago. I couldn't get the bass lick right so I improvised. I played the first notes right and then I'd run my fingers all over. After we played two older guys approached me praising me on how I played it. I thought they were making fun of me so I went home and learned how to play it correctly. This was imperative since we got offered to play at Lincoln Park Zoo a few weeks later. I never heard the Jimi version until 1969. We played it like Billy but faster. We played The Leaves version. But we were just a garage band. My brother Joe was on lead guitar and he was 13. I don't think any of us was older than 13. I never heard this verion until today. Had you asked me before who made this song I probably would have guessed, The Shadows of Knight. If you listen to the Leaves version it has a great bass line.

  • @singersongster

    @singersongster

    Жыл бұрын

    Great stuff. How did you hear Billy Roberts Hey Joe? Hendrix had the cover but he was Pop Rock. Who was playing this? It's not Top 40. College radio? NPR National Public Radio?

  • @martyacosta2335

    @martyacosta2335

    Жыл бұрын

    @@singersongster I did a search looking for the version we played. We played the Leaves version. I never heard the Leaves version except by other Chi-Town bands. I was still in grade school (7th grade).

  • @largelester

    @largelester

    Жыл бұрын

    @@singersongster Leaves version sounds more like a faster version of this than the slower covers done by Jimi Hendrix, Tim Rose or Otis Taylor

  • @Ds74-pmrq

    @Ds74-pmrq

    2 ай бұрын

    "This song" doesn't have a bass line

  • @user-ft4jp1yq5f

    @user-ft4jp1yq5f

    2 ай бұрын

    Garage band you say... just a Garage Band.. Garage Bands are as important as Ice in Whiskey... No just about it... Be proud ... We are all Garage Band... High 5 brutha

  • @billyrubin3108
    @billyrubin31082 ай бұрын

    I love the acoustic guitar playing and the singing’s great as well. 👍

  • @PeterSavad

    @PeterSavad

    11 күн бұрын

    It's a fake.

  • @kengilbert2620
    @kengilbert26202 ай бұрын

    I'm late to the party but so glad this popped up in my YT feed. Nice job and thanks!

  • @stephendoriankutos4429
    @stephendoriankutos44293 жыл бұрын

    If you guys are interested, I could post the other songs Billy performs on the tape. The others are covers and traditional folk songs. He does "Sinner Man", "Bo Weevil", "Stag- o - Lee aka Stagger Lee" and one or two others. No real revelations like "Hey Joe" but if you like folk music, Billy's authentic, and a good performer, and his intros for songs are quite funny. Let me know.

  • @stephendoriankutos4429

    @stephendoriankutos4429

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm in the process of getting a new editing computer, so I will upload those songs very soon. Billy also does rousing version of "Kilgary Mountain" aka "Whiskey In The Jar".

  • @BretLevickMusic

    @BretLevickMusic

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi Stephen, I met Billy in San Francisco when I was 11 years old (friend of my parents). He had a country band called Grits. We took a liking to each other and he was my first musical “mentor”. Gave me my first electric guitar (an old Airline) and recorded with me in his studio on Fillmore that was funded by Hey Joe royalties. He showed up at a gig of mine in the 80s, gave me a cassette of solo tunes maybe the same one this comes from, and then I lost track of him. Thanks for posting this!

  • @stephendoriankutos4429

    @stephendoriankutos4429

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@BretLevickMusic Such a cool story!

  • @kimmicampbell708

    @kimmicampbell708

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes please

  • @julieparrish1364

    @julieparrish1364

    3 жыл бұрын

    Stephen Dorian Kutos keep em comin big guy,peace.

  • @castelodeossos3947
    @castelodeossos39472 ай бұрын

    Used the Hendrix version teaching English to Italian teenagers. Knew it had been a success when, after the lesson, they asked who that was 'cause they wanted to get it for themselves. They'd never heard of Jimi Hendrix.

  • Ай бұрын

    Cool story. I saw the movie a few years ago. They had it on lifetime. Sidney played you.

  • @malcolmdouglasjr2178

    @malcolmdouglasjr2178

    Ай бұрын

    Cool story. Love Jimi RIP!

  • @robsummers8344
    @robsummers83443 жыл бұрын

    The mark of Jimi’s genius was to take this good song and elevate it to the stratosphere ✌🏻🎸 Each verse he varies the chords with inversions, and then blasts out a solo which has so much emotion and release in it, never ceases to amaze me. My opinion - Peace 🙏🏻

  • @stephendoriankutos4429

    @stephendoriankutos4429

    3 жыл бұрын

    except that all the changes from this songs folk beginnings, to the blue influenced rock monster hit it's known as today, pretty much all came from Tim Rose. Check out his version, even the drums and bass were closely followed by the Experience. Jimi of course took it to the stratosphere with his guitar playing, but Rose should have been given an arrangement credit. Check out his version kzread.info/dash/bejne/kamnzZeqfri8l7g.html

  • @robsummers8344

    @robsummers8344

    3 жыл бұрын

    Stephen Dorian Kutos I hear what you mean - including the backing vocals and the drum rhythm 🥁 Jimi’s solo is perfection - especially at Monterey 🎸

  • @neilstegall2090

    @neilstegall2090

    10 ай бұрын

    The Hendrix version is based directly on the Tim Rose version, not this.

  • @davidm9618

    @davidm9618

    2 ай бұрын

    Jimi is overrated.

  • @williamcavanagh8982

    @williamcavanagh8982

    2 ай бұрын

    It's called stealing...hardly genius.

  • @chuckwagon5518
    @chuckwagon55183 жыл бұрын

    I'm in my 60's and this is the first time I have ever understood all of the words to this song!

  • @pcollenyt3683

    @pcollenyt3683

    3 жыл бұрын

    These are not the words of the more "modern" versions.

  • @erepsekahs

    @erepsekahs

    3 жыл бұрын

    Then you should have listened closer, and also realized that they are both NOT the same.

  • @philgeorge667

    @philgeorge667

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm 68 same this way......

  • @johnstrand2247

    @johnstrand2247

    3 жыл бұрын

    Same thing I was thinking.

  • @rockersmood1609

    @rockersmood1609

    3 жыл бұрын

    Not the same words from “are you experienced “!!!!

  • @sixslinger9951
    @sixslinger99512 жыл бұрын

    This is the coolest thing ever. To actually hear the very first demo from the songwriter. thanks for posting

  • @michaelpetrose9272

    @michaelpetrose9272

    Жыл бұрын

    If you believe all the info on KZread, he actually stole this song from his girlfriend Niela Miller, who was that writer. You can find her version (quite good btw) at: kzread.info/dash/bejne/dHl_lKd9odvWk7w.html&ab_channel=DaveWood

  • @anderssigfeldt335

    @anderssigfeldt335

    10 ай бұрын

    The ildest is about 100 yaers old Anders sweden Göteborg

  • @joshuayettou9032

    @joshuayettou9032

    9 ай бұрын

    Very cool indeed!

  • @will2741

    @will2741

    9 ай бұрын

    its nonsense, he stole it from Niela Miller and his voice on this tape is a much older man

  • @colerainfan1143
    @colerainfan11432 ай бұрын

    One of my all time favorite songs. Thanks, Bill.

  • @PavlovsDawgakaMindContro-cp2gw
    @PavlovsDawgakaMindContro-cp2gw11 ай бұрын

    I'm really impressed with the original song. It took a while to hear Billy Robert's song, I'm grateful to hear it. 🎸

  • @RusticRockMusic
    @RusticRockMusic2 жыл бұрын

    That is a gem of a song, an old sizzling piece of Americana.

  • @alanthesheep6428

    @alanthesheep6428

    Жыл бұрын

    Yeh - a song about buying a gun to kill someone. Pure Americana indeed

  • @RusticRockMusic

    @RusticRockMusic

    Жыл бұрын

    @@alanthesheep6428 The back story is that people have been buying implements to kill each other for many thousands of years before the idea of liberty and America.

  • @Iambigdaa

    @Iambigdaa

    8 ай бұрын

    Like it or not, punishing a cheating, unfaithful spouse/mate is as old as time itself.

  • @RusticRockMusic

    @RusticRockMusic

    8 ай бұрын

    It's a song, it's story telling. Joe is going off the deep end, and Jimi is concerned, asking about his plans. Joe is quite forthcoming, and the song doesn't cheer murder, but it is graphic; I Shot Her!! I called it Americana bc of its history as a rock standard, loved, played and performed here in America where it was created.

  • @ralph0149

    @ralph0149

    Ай бұрын

    ​​@@alanthesheep6428 Until recently killing your wife like that was legal in Brazil. Lots of other places too. That was never true here. Shove your America-bashing.

  • @stephenandrews8419
    @stephenandrews84192 ай бұрын

    Just occassionaly youtube sends something great my way. I love finding new discoveries and new singers or versions of songs that i have never heard of. You have done just that here, i had no idea there was such a back story to this song. You truly have done a great service to everybody by uploading this here & i want to thank you so much for that. So Thank You 👍

  • Ай бұрын

    To see the actual recording?

  • @FuzzyDancingBear

    @FuzzyDancingBear

    Ай бұрын

    You've got to be kidding me. Do you listen to music?

  • @MC828Alex
    @MC828Alex2 жыл бұрын

    Great version this. I was 12 when I first heard "Hey Joe" by the The Leaves. It opened the door from kid-world to real life.

  • @stefanfeigl3847
    @stefanfeigl3847Ай бұрын

    unbelievable ... sound and footage ! thank you very much ! ( from munich, bavaria )

  • @davidsummerville351
    @davidsummerville3512 ай бұрын

    Very unique guitar accompaniment. Good guitarist, well played. This is a piece of history.

  • @PeterSavad

    @PeterSavad

    11 күн бұрын

    It's fake.

  • @5micky2
    @5micky2Ай бұрын

    Love this performance, it's loaded with defiance, desperation, vain hope, tragedy, as befits the story. The footage of the prisoners is a kind of hint that he didn't escape the hangman.

  • @jegarajramoo3873
    @jegarajramoo38732 жыл бұрын

    Simply brilliant. It captures raw emotions and anxiety in such breathtaking lyrics played on an acoustic guitar. It captures the folk music spirit of the early 1960s at it's very best.

  • @KaiserBlade

    @KaiserBlade

    2 ай бұрын

    The breathtaking lyrics?

  • @PeterSavad

    @PeterSavad

    11 күн бұрын

    It's fake dude.

  • @michaelshaw972
    @michaelshaw9722 жыл бұрын

    This is superb, and the song became legendary. I saw Hendrix perform it but the original is brilliant.

  • @daindm
    @daindmАй бұрын

    Thanks so much for this gift. I'm a 65yr old Aussie muso living in Sri Lanka - I have enjoyed this song in many forms and mutations since the 60's - The Golden Cups from Japan '66 do a fast very ahead of it's time version with amazing bass with an oriental sounding riff and an a psychedelic solo that's sounds like something off Electric Ladyland, and that's just one of the countless versions I've heard and played myself in so many bands. I've haven't done a deep dive into it - but I always understood that it was usually listed as Traditional on the 60's garage, punk and psychedelic bands, until Jimi did his funky, bluesly version and his manager Chas Chandler copy righted it as - words and music by Jimi Hendrix. Chas learnt this old trick from when he played bass in The Animals and they covered House of the Rising Sun, which Dylan had previously covered on his first album in 1962 and tagged it as Traditional (his lyrics followed the original's which was from the woman's point of view - and it was in 3/4 just by the by) - when they recorded it, it became by The Animals. Keep on grooving!

  • @norbertvanettinger8791
    @norbertvanettinger87913 жыл бұрын

    This is realy the root thing of 'Hey Joe'... and a beautiful performance... Thank you for posting it.

  • @sandrakemkers3158

    @sandrakemkers3158

    2 жыл бұрын

    no, it isn't. Check Niela Miller.

  • @riffraffactual

    @riffraffactual

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@sandrakemkers3158 nope… it’s different enough to belong to Billy… That’s why he gets the credit.

  • @v-town1980

    @v-town1980

    2 ай бұрын

    ​@@sandrakemkers3158look who never gets most crediting for writing Motown hits.😊

  • @heavenlyeyes4605
    @heavenlyeyes46057 ай бұрын

    THIS IS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!! WOWW MAN

  • @reason5591
    @reason55913 жыл бұрын

    Wow at 60 yrs old, Im still discovering new things on the daily. Im a long time Hendrix fan yet never knew of this

  • @colincampbell4261

    @colincampbell4261

    3 жыл бұрын

    Same here, I'm 61.

  • @MrHammerman97

    @MrHammerman97

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@colincampbell4261 Im 23, was brought up on Jimi, now i dig deeper and its Billy. Always some beauty in finding originals. Much like Led Zepplins "When the levee breaks"

  • @davehagi9883

    @davehagi9883

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@colincampbell4261 74, I knew it existed, but never heard it before now.

  • @guitarocd9984

    @guitarocd9984

    3 жыл бұрын

    The leaves did it just before Hendrix. That's the one I remember.

  • @debpettinato5975

    @debpettinato5975

    3 жыл бұрын

    Everyday everyday

  • @jaimesanverg69
    @jaimesanverg692 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Stephen for uploading and placing the song"s writer in the land of dignity he deserves. Big hug , from Santiago, Chile.

  • @PeterSavad

    @PeterSavad

    11 күн бұрын

    It's fake.

  • @mattelder4204
    @mattelder42042 жыл бұрын

    By the end of the song the guitar rhythm is almost hypnotic and relaxing. Thanks for sharing. Very cool. 👍

  • @mickthemerciless9694
    @mickthemerciless96942 ай бұрын

    Very interesting to hear original demos.

  • @PeterSavad

    @PeterSavad

    11 күн бұрын

    It's fake.

  • @rridderbusch518
    @rridderbusch5183 жыл бұрын

    R.I.P. Billy Roberts 1936-2017

  • @luiscorro1924
    @luiscorro19243 жыл бұрын

    Fabulous finding, its history and the sound is cristal clear...so many great musicians and bands (Jimmy Hendrix, The Who and others), have played this one.

  • @ogredad55
    @ogredad55Күн бұрын

    Oh wow! This is great and very good to know! Thank you, Stephen!

  • @JKlasen
    @JKlasen2 ай бұрын

    Incredible! This is what makes YT a great resource.

  • @kayvancooten4657
    @kayvancooten4657 Жыл бұрын

    Being familiar with Hendrix's version made me curious as to who wrote it. I'm so glad it brought me here, as this folk version most definately has a unique character, just as Jimi's version. Thanks for this post. ❤🎶

  • @garthsnidpick4151

    @garthsnidpick4151

    4 ай бұрын

    try deep purple's version

  • @billking8843

    @billking8843

    3 ай бұрын

    He nicked the music and some of the lyrics from his girlfriend. She is still around and I think is doing Christian music and has long since let go of it.

  • @Henry_Martin_Taylor

    @Henry_Martin_Taylor

    2 ай бұрын

    ​@@garthsnidpick4151Much more closer to the meaning of the lyrics then Hendrix

  • @jazzandbluesculturalherita2547

    @jazzandbluesculturalherita2547

    2 ай бұрын

    Billy stole the song from Neila Miller whom he was dating. See her site here on YT. SHE wrote it.

  • @billking8843

    @billking8843

    2 ай бұрын

    @@jazzandbluesculturalherita2547 amazing how women's creative achievements get erased from music history. And black people's creativity too. Led Zep and Canned Heat Ima looking at you guys in particular.

  • @eg8419
    @eg84192 ай бұрын

    thank you for this astounding video.

  • @cautionTosser
    @cautionTosser2 ай бұрын

    I always knew this was a cover by Jimi (one of my favs of his), but I never heard the original until now. Fantastic! And reading your description brought back found memories of my dad's reel to reel. He had so many unique recordings on it including myself as a child telling stories, my mother and her sisters singing, and Hutterites performing songs. Yes. That's right. They weren't allowed contemporary music, but some of the youngsters hid instruments in the barn and my dad came and recorded them.

  • @petermccarthy8263
    @petermccarthy8263 Жыл бұрын

    thanks for sharing that indelibly stark narrative song ! ..once, back around '72 (?), I stopped by my friend Don's small seattle music store and, his friend, Billy Roberts, was visiting him so, we caught a buzz and he indulged me in doing this song (w/me on 2nd guitar) and it was such an unexpected afternoon (thru the doorway) experience, blown away. after I left, I was walking along on a bright perfect day thinking...did that really just happen ?

  • @blix4199
    @blix41993 жыл бұрын

    Superb! Thank you so much for posting. Of course I love Jimi’s masterful version, and everything else he did, but the Billy Roberts original tells the tale in a much more complete way

  • @duvalito6021
    @duvalito60213 жыл бұрын

    This song has such an intriguing and ominous sound, it hits the soul 🔥

  • @klowen7778

    @klowen7778

    Ай бұрын

    Aka, _"What we have here is a failure to communicate."_

  • @michaelherndon9573

    @michaelherndon9573

    Ай бұрын

    Lmao​@@klowen7778

  • @vanodyssey1659
    @vanodyssey165910 ай бұрын

    The song is sending chills down my spine... What's more is the video footage, equally as chilling. I want to know the stories of these men.

  • @pj7555
    @pj75553 жыл бұрын

    This is so golden ... I have spent half an afternoon following this song around youtube. Thanks Niela and Bill.

  • @patrickshore5859

    @patrickshore5859

    2 жыл бұрын

    should listen to Tim Rose version copied by Hendrix both released same year. Tims first of course I would guess

  • @Michi181079
    @Michi1810793 жыл бұрын

    I love this Version! Great tune.

  • @roguesgallery4228
    @roguesgallery42282 ай бұрын

    Hey Joe was always my favourite Hendrix track, I had an old bootleg from one of his many Germany performances, the version of Hey Joe he played was the most perfect rendition I ever heard,every note drenched in perfection. I just fell in love with the song all over again.

  • @kooale

    @kooale

    2 ай бұрын

    Yup

  • @PrivateSi

    @PrivateSi

    2 ай бұрын

    Hendrix's Hey Joe is a grungier, grittier, rawer, angrier version that suits the lyrics really well. I knew this Billy Roberts version existed as the original but never checked it out until now and like how it's more of a contrasts between the uplifting, happy sounding music with the dark lyrics. Both work great.

  • @jojogun1957

    @jojogun1957

    2 ай бұрын

    Those back up vocals jump out at me once and awhile,(maybe when I'am in a distant and reflective mood)and really take it a darker place. @@PrivateSi

  • @randyelliott9152

    @randyelliott9152

    2 ай бұрын

    @@PrivateSi There is also a more up-tempo version by the Los Angeles based (mid 60's) band Love.

  • @PrivateSi

    @PrivateSi

    2 ай бұрын

    @@randyelliott9152 .. Considering it's an anti-love song that's pretty funny..... Ahh, jangly-tastic, funky bass and rockin'.. Jilted Love would be more accurate!

  • @tashijoe21
    @tashijoe213 жыл бұрын

    So good to hear this powerful song in its original. The video is just as powerful too. Thanks for putting this out theret

  • @eriksudberg
    @eriksudberg2 ай бұрын

    Wow. Absolutely incredible. Thank you for posting and please post more Billy Roberts songs!

  • @scottkremer8660
    @scottkremer86603 жыл бұрын

    I met Billy Roberts by accident in 1986 when he drove by a rural property I owned north of San Francisco. He stopped on the road when he saw me. I believe he was giving his sister a tour of the area. He said he'd lived in my house as a rental sometime much earlier, and told me that he'd written "Hey Joe." I wish I'd invited him in.

  • @heaven7360

    @heaven7360

    3 жыл бұрын

    that is a trippy story. Cool how life is isn't it? It's kind of hard to get those kind of experiences these days of covid. Damn I'll be glad to have this over with!!!!!

  • @Savadorason1

    @Savadorason1

    3 жыл бұрын

    -Who knew?

  • @hopfrogg9599

    @hopfrogg9599

    3 жыл бұрын

    Checks out. In the early 90s he was in a car accident in Sonoma County.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Roberts

  • @doktorsultanaszazin5759

    @doktorsultanaszazin5759

    3 жыл бұрын

    @today is not yesterday Wait until you catch it... I can tell you, it's no scam. I wish it was a scam...

  • @englishwithclint8415

    @englishwithclint8415

    3 жыл бұрын

    @today is not yesterday and 1917 !!!

  • @joeld_i4052
    @joeld_i40523 жыл бұрын

    Aweome, thanks for sharing! I've been working backwords on this song, first hearing Hendrix's version, then the Byrds' version now the song makes even more sense. Such a mesmorizing guitar!

  • @Guitarcope

    @Guitarcope

    3 жыл бұрын

    It sounds like a 12 string.

  • @Not_what_it_used_to_be

    @Not_what_it_used_to_be

    2 жыл бұрын

    Listen to Kingfish's version if you haven't. Absolutely legendary.

  • @joeld_i4052

    @joeld_i4052

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@Not_what_it_used_to_be Thanks for letting me know! Never heard of the guy, very cool version. It's amazing what he did with it.

  • @anilchitnis3637
    @anilchitnis36372 ай бұрын

    Amazing first recording of “Hey Joe” which deserves more credit for its simplicity and raw acoustic beauty. All my respect to Billy Roberts and whoever wrote the original “ He Joe”. I am in the midst of recording my version of this timeless classic. 🙏

  • @pestell02

    @pestell02

    2 ай бұрын

    I think the original was written by Joe South

  • @johnbauman4005

    @johnbauman4005

    2 ай бұрын

    ​@@pestell02No.

  • @Oldcrow77

    @Oldcrow77

    2 ай бұрын

    The original is by Neila Miller. You can find here on YT. Billy Robert’s lived with Neila and basically stole the song from her.

  • @virginiatate5955

    @virginiatate5955

    2 ай бұрын

    kzread.info/dash/bejne/c4uZtdmPaZDRcZs.htmlsi=biDYm4mA0ra91x8N

  • @kendokunti
    @kendokunti3 жыл бұрын

    Best version of Hey Joe I have heard so far and I've heard a few !

  • @Brytons_Thoughts
    @Brytons_Thoughts4 жыл бұрын

    Holy cow, after YEARS it finally has surfaced!

  • @richardgann5400

    @richardgann5400

    Ай бұрын

    I heard a Dallas Radio station in the early 80s, play over Hours, 1,000 Versions of "Louie, Louie " so, does anyone know How Many Versions of Hey Joe, were recorded??

  • @phillipparfitt3973
    @phillipparfitt39733 жыл бұрын

    I only knew the Jimi Hendrix version until a few weeks ago when I heard the Leaves, now I hear the original, its great! I am 67 now and never knew any other recording of Hey Joe! Thanks for posting this, I love it!!

  • @markmiller4884
    @markmiller48843 жыл бұрын

    So glad I found this nugget. Thanks for posting.

  • @kingcormack8004
    @kingcormack80043 жыл бұрын

    Like most Americans my age, we heard "Hey Joe" in the hit version by The Leaves before the Hendrix take, their arrangement was a garage rock staple. I really like learning the back stories and learning of this original is a treat. It might be interesting to trace the song's journey from Billy's authorship to how it reached the airwaves via the Leaves, then Hendrix. Song-plugging is an arcane skill.

  • @doctorinsomnia5410

    @doctorinsomnia5410

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for giving credit to the Leaves... great as Hendrix's cover is, I prefer the faster more rockin' version by the Leaves which ( like most people my age) I discovered on the Nuggets compilation...and don't forget the best parody of Hey Joe, Flower Punk by Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention on their 3rd album " we're only in it for the money" or "phaze 1 of lumpy gravy"....

  • @mr.bonesbbq3288
    @mr.bonesbbq32884 жыл бұрын

    So refreshin to hear this again, thanks, amigo! Lifelong Hendrix fan, which is how I found my way to Billy...;-)

  • @stephendoriankutos4429

    @stephendoriankutos4429

    4 жыл бұрын

    You're welcome! I'm glad you like it.

  • @G3Ld0fCapdutronc
    @G3Ld0fCapdutronc3 жыл бұрын

    iNCROYABLE CE DOCUMENT !!!!! Merci !

  • @robertlisternicholls
    @robertlisternicholls2 жыл бұрын

    Wonderful and very moving images. Thank you for posting.

  • @dwaynes5983
    @dwaynes5983 Жыл бұрын

    This is awesome. Thank you for upload. Time Travel at its best.

  • @ansellovestogroworganicall2180
    @ansellovestogroworganicall21803 жыл бұрын

    Memories .... Nice to know the roots for this song.

  • @gaddyify
    @gaddyify3 жыл бұрын

    Hendrixs took this song and lyrics to another level.

  • @johnsaxon7940

    @johnsaxon7940

    3 жыл бұрын

    Did so with All Along the Watchtower too

  • @maryeavenson2873

    @maryeavenson2873

    3 жыл бұрын

    yes he did it's a marriage of folk and blues and rock...but I guess soon to be dismissed by the NWO..

  • @michaelstevenson470

    @michaelstevenson470

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@maryeavenson2873 Incorrect; Nudist Waterskiers of Oregon have no issues with this song

  • @maryeavenson2873

    @maryeavenson2873

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@michaelstevenson470 I guess not

  • @karenredd7365

    @karenredd7365

    3 жыл бұрын

    Most definitely tho I am very impressed with this!!!

  • @joypcs_official
    @joypcs_official2 жыл бұрын

    I NEVER cease to be utterly amazed finding some of the jewels that we just happen to come across casually looking for something else. Thank you Stephen!

  • @katsmith4268

    @katsmith4268

    2 жыл бұрын

    I know what you mean 😊

  • @randallkomisarek2875

    @randallkomisarek2875

    Ай бұрын

    Thank goodness for the dedicated archivists who sought out the folk, bluegrass and blues players before they passed. This country has such a rich and varied musical heritage that tell so much about what the country is all about for better or worse.

  • @Terribleathletes
    @Terribleathletes2 жыл бұрын

    The chord progression is so hauntingly beautiful. Man I wish this would've been pressed on to a 7 inch 45. Would love to own this.

  • @JoaoMiguel-po8kb

    @JoaoMiguel-po8kb

    2 жыл бұрын

    It is indeed. and its a quite simple one.

  • @markir1947
    @markir19473 жыл бұрын

    Throughout the years I have heard every version of Hey Joe I could find. I love this song and became rather obsessed with it . I hoped to find out even more about the musical history behind it. Now I hear the original and all I can say is , wow. Thanks for posting.

  • @michaelcelani8325

    @michaelcelani8325

    3 жыл бұрын

    mark...It really is Beautiful !* or more than beautiful..

  • @davegmalherbe

    @davegmalherbe

    3 жыл бұрын

    Have you heard the ORIGINAL song by his then girlfriend from whom he STOLE the music ?? !!!

  • @butterflymoon6368

    @butterflymoon6368

    2 жыл бұрын

    This isn't the original. Billy stole the song from his girlfriend.

  • @SonicSurf3r
    @SonicSurf3r4 жыл бұрын

    Fascinating. Thank you for sourcing & posting

  • @stephendoriankutos4429

    @stephendoriankutos4429

    4 жыл бұрын

    You are welcome! Thank you for viewing!

  • @suzyquatro6470
    @suzyquatro6470Ай бұрын

    This is the first time that I've ever heard about this !! I thought Jimi Hendrix is the first singer who brought "Hey Joe" the only version 😮😮 I used to hear Jimi Hendrix version when I was in my junior high ... Now I'm going 70 yrs next December and I still enjoy the song, Jimi's version 😁😁

  • @rashard4

    @rashard4

    Ай бұрын

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hey_Joe

  • @caroltaylor7894
    @caroltaylor78943 жыл бұрын

    I love this! First time to hear it. Thank you.

  • @mt.rushmore7916
    @mt.rushmore79163 жыл бұрын

    This is outstanding. Beautiful. Thank you for posting. So damned pure!

  • @jjimywoods1363

    @jjimywoods1363

    3 жыл бұрын

    Brilliant

  • @denisbergeron9783
    @denisbergeron97832 жыл бұрын

    This is so awesome it stocked in my head for several days

  • @01hennessy
    @01hennessy3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for posting. I was a good friend of his son, Andy, an amazing harmonica player. Good to finally hear Billy's version. Funny aside, his ex was surprised Jimi's version was still getting airplay, and that was in the late 80's.

  • @jackpeters9349

    @jackpeters9349

    2 жыл бұрын

    Always thought Hendrix wrote Hey Joe Billy was a bad ass I wanna be a folk singer than I'll have an excuse for erratic n unfriendly behavior plus I can hang out with Otis Gibbs extradanaire

  • @butterflymoon6368

    @butterflymoon6368

    2 жыл бұрын

    Billy didn't write hey joe. He stole it from his girlfriend.

  • @01hennessy

    @01hennessy

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@butterflymoon6368 Might have been my friends mother.....

  • @SimonWH1
    @SimonWH12 жыл бұрын

    An astounding video and great to feel the sadness and tension about his life ahead from the rhythm of the song.

  • @bored1ca
    @bored1ca3 жыл бұрын

    Wow - I can sense the misery in the lyrics but the story it tells is so compelling....

  • @jujumulligan43
    @jujumulligan432 ай бұрын

    This is fantastic. I'm so damn glad I stumbled on this today. I absolutely love the trimmed down and basic feel of this song being done the way it was meant to sound. I'm grateful for you for sharing this. Keep um coming!😊

  • @nerfero
    @nerfero2 жыл бұрын

    Recorded when I was still in the crib. Awesome! Thanks a lot!

  • @ianstobie
    @ianstobie3 жыл бұрын

    Great find. Thanks for putting it up.

  • @mscommerce
    @mscommerce3 жыл бұрын

    What a great find and song. Good work, especially on the video. The sound quality is superb. Some notes on where the documentary scenes are from would be icing on the cake.

  • @cabngirl
    @cabngirl3 жыл бұрын

    This is wonderful. I loved seeing him perform this with the SF All Stars down by the waterfront in the 80s.

  • @stephenp.farrelly2296
    @stephenp.farrelly22963 жыл бұрын

    This is the first time I have heard this original recording of Hey Joe. Hendrix version was tops THIS was a RARE, GREAT, ORIGINAL

  • @peadarmacconnmhaigh4337
    @peadarmacconnmhaigh43372 ай бұрын

    Never heard this before. It is fantastic! Best version of this song. Thank you for posting the video.

  • @janepowers6711
    @janepowers67113 жыл бұрын

    I remember this song recorded by the group “Love, with Arthur Lee” - this is a wonderful, pure version of the song. Love’s album Forever Changes is still one of my favorites.

  • @rogerheighton6422

    @rogerheighton6422

    3 жыл бұрын

    mine too

  • @markir1947

    @markir1947

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes, great album. Arthur Lee was great.

  • @matthewmccalvin2062
    @matthewmccalvin20623 жыл бұрын

    Hearing this for the first time.. didnt realize the complicated history of it.. weirdly enough one of the first things that hit me was... "This sounds like DEVO!" his voice reminds me of Mark Mothersbaugh, of course i've heard the Hendrix version but this is next level hearing it simplified.

  • @thekarmafarmer608
    @thekarmafarmer6082 жыл бұрын

    Really excellent posting friend. You`re right, the footage aids the tone of the track. Thank you for posting this. I found it quite moving

  • @upmyown
    @upmyown3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Stephen, great quality recording

  • @greendemon70
    @greendemon702 ай бұрын

    Just listened for the first time. No words...

  • @ronedwards9133
    @ronedwards91332 жыл бұрын

    Frist time hearing this original, love the. simplicity of it, yet it’s so solid! Dig it

  • @nanook8721
    @nanook8721Ай бұрын

    Thanks for this absolute gem! I'm a 70-year-old woman who has heard this song by many different people, but I think, somehow, this one pulled me in the most.

  • @johnnisbet
    @johnnisbet2 ай бұрын

    That sent shivers up my back. Thank you for posting.

  • @waynethera2712
    @waynethera27123 жыл бұрын

    It’s amazing where some of the best songs come from.

  • @hughbo52

    @hughbo52

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thinking the same thing just this past week.

  • @jessebianchi2631

    @jessebianchi2631

    3 жыл бұрын

    Tragedy, suffering and pain.

  • @waynethera2712

    @waynethera2712

    3 жыл бұрын

    Jesse Bianchi, the stuff I like comes from there. I have great dislike for over cheery pop music. Give me some grit!

  • @jessebianchi2631

    @jessebianchi2631

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@waynethera2712 same. Blues fan myself. ever hear of Justin Johnson? One of the best Blues guitarists i've ever heard.

  • @waynethera2712

    @waynethera2712

    3 жыл бұрын

    Jesse Bianchi, is he the guys that makes his own guitars? I’m thinking of a Gimme Back My Bullets cover.

  • @Bamboozled01
    @Bamboozled01Ай бұрын

    Thank U Stephen, for uploading this Never to be forgotten Ageless Classic! Give Thanks 🙏🏽❤💛💚👊🏼

  • @rocketpoolpki
    @rocketpoolpki3 жыл бұрын

    Simply awesome...thank you for uploading.

  • @sedoff1948
    @sedoff19482 ай бұрын

    Thanks so much for the song and visuals. Cheers from Vietnam.

  • @robertmayer1497
    @robertmayer14973 жыл бұрын

    Love the chord progression. Niela will check out your album. This version has a lot of raw heart and soul!

  • @foureyedchick

    @foureyedchick

    3 жыл бұрын

    But it is underrated because it was done by a white man.

  • @Jm01394
    @Jm013943 жыл бұрын

    Thank you ! Love the folksy sound! Reminder of Cisco Houston.

  • @blazinchalice
    @blazinchaliceАй бұрын

    Great addition to the musical archive!

  • @I_0..0_I
    @I_0..0_I2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for sharing it, its simply amazing how music is born and how it blooms :) Thank you

  • @suzanneengland8978

    @suzanneengland8978

    2 жыл бұрын

    Arthur Lee and Love did the original cover that was a hit. It was a very cool,version. Jimi sure did a great version too.

  • @I_0..0_I

    @I_0..0_I

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@suzanneengland8978 First time i hear of Arthur Lee and now i am discovering another artist :D Cheers!

  • @MacPakinga-gl8bu
    @MacPakinga-gl8bu2 ай бұрын

    A first for me hearing this. Started jamming hay joe first time i heard jimmy Hendrix at 8 years old. Now 64 still have it . Yes sirery started picking it at first then the bass line next the drums. 🎸🥁🎸🎤 . Thankyou for sharing ❤

  • @barrygrant2907
    @barrygrant29072 жыл бұрын

    A great song that is genius in its simplicity. I remember seeing chain gangs working on the roadsides as a kid. My mom always warned me that If I didn't behave I'd be working alongside of them.

  • @brianwells4507
    @brianwells45072 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for posting this I haven't heard the original version for years.

  • @ew3rivera112
    @ew3rivera112 Жыл бұрын

    I am glad I finally the earliest recorded version of Hey Joe. Thanks for the upload.

  • @balerjohnson3099
    @balerjohnson30993 жыл бұрын

    I learn something new everyday ..This was my fav hendrix song ..thx for the post I love the orginals

  • @dynjarren8355
    @dynjarren83553 жыл бұрын

    Hard scenes from a chain gang remind me that I never want to go to prison. Great original version of Hey Joe.

  • @garygilliam6587

    @garygilliam6587

    3 жыл бұрын

    This is great. This is the first time I've heard the original. Thanks

  • @tomatencio9223
    @tomatencio92232 ай бұрын

    This was an eye opener. Thank you for posting this.