One of the finest Hendrix signed pieces we have ever handled!
Here is a rare Polydor Records 45 RPM single for the Jimi Hendrix Experience debut song 'Hey Joe’ b/w ‘Stone Free,' signed on the A-side label in black ballpoint by Jimi Hendrix, Noel Redding, while adding ‘- Bass’ beside his name, and Mitch Mitchell, while adding ‘Love’ above his name. Moreover, the center label has been decorated with an intricate wreath-style sketch, done by Hendrix and initialed by him, ‘JH.’ Featuring the Polydor logo in black, and credited only to ‘Jimi Hendrix,’ this is the earliest UK pressing of the 'Hey Joe' single. The autographs were obtained during the first ever tour by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, opening for The Walker Brothers on their April 1967 UK tour.
Comes with a letter of provenance that states: ‘This set of Jimi Hendrix Experience autographs which appear on their debut single ‘Hey Joe,’ were obtained by my father following one of the band’s earliest UK performances during their first tour together, opening for The Walker Brothers on the April 1967 UK package tour. Given my father came from the area, the signatures were most likely obtained on 14th April 1967 at the Odeon Cinema in Bolton, Greater Manchester. The doodle in the centre of the single was done by Jimi Hendrix himself! If you look closely, you can see Jimi has initialled his artwork ‘JH.’ This is the very first pressing of the single, released December 1966.’
‘Hey Joe’ was one of the first songs Hendrix performed regularly as he was exploring a more rock-oriented sound in New York City in 1966 with his group Jimmy James and the Blue Flames. His arrangement used a slower tempo reminiscent of Tim Rose's recent single version, which he had heard on a jukebox. Looking for musical acts to produce, Chas Chandler, the ex-bassist for the Animals, checked out Hendrix at the Café Wha?, in Greenwich Village. 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. Upon his arrival in London, Hendrix quickly assembled his band, recorded ‘Hey Joe’ in October, and released the song in December 1966. The song entered the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart in January 1967 and peaked at No. 6, and shortly before The Walker Brothers tour began, Hendrix released his second single, ‘Purple Haze.’ During The Walker Brothers Tour, Hendrix was still a relatively unknown quantity having only been in the country for a few months. As such, he and his band were relegated to a spot as one of the support acts, along with other artists including Cat Stevens, and Engelbert Humperdinck. Despite this, on the opening night of the brief package tour, Hendrix astonished the crowd as he set fire to one of his guitars for the first time ever. It was during this formative period that Hendrix first tried out the kind of pyrotechnics that would go on to become a celebrated component of his act. Just two months later, in June of the same year, Hendrix would close his legendary performance at the Monterey Pop Festival while igniting his guitar. Two years later, after establishing himself as a global superstar, Hendrix would famously perform ‘Hey Joe’ as the last song in his set at the Woodstock festival in 1969, and as such, it was also the final song of the entire festival. Hendrix almost never performed encores, but at Woodstock, despite the vanishing crowd, he chose to perform ‘Hey Joe,’ his first hit song. Complete sets of autographs by the Jimi Hendrix Experience on records or record sleeves are exceedingly rare. Fully signed copies of the first pressing of the Jimi Hendrix Experience's debut single are virtually nonexistent. As of this writing, this is the only fully signed example known to exist. A museum quality Hendrix artifact for the most discerning of collectors!
In very good to fine condition, with original as-issued Polydor sleeve.
Comes with COAs from Tracks, Ltd., and renowned music autograph authority Roger Epperson (REAL)