- Year of release
- 1967
- Global sales
- 4 million
- Genre
- Rock
- Buy this album
- Buy CD
An electrifying debut that showcased Hendrix's virtuosity via a collection of richly-melodic blues, colourful psychedelia and incendiary rock
Video footage
Bob Hendrix interview: Jimi's cousin discusses his legacy
Billy Cox interview: we speak to Jimi's bassist and long-term collaborator
Jimi Hendrix live at Monterey: watch the new DVD trailer
Best tracks:
Purple Haze
Foxey Lady
Hey Joe
The Wind Cries Mary
Top facts:
- Purple Haze has been variously reported as a song about LSD and/or marijuana, a line from a sci-fi novel called Night Of Light and a dream Hendrix had about being able to walk underwater. It also contains one of the most legendarily misheard lyrics of all time: "Excuse me while I kiss the sky" (not "this guy").
- Hey Joe was written by an obscure US folk/country artist called Billy Roberts. Although Hendrix's cover remains the most popular, versions have also been recorded by Cher, Deep Purple, Love, Patti Smith, Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds, The Offspring and Eddie Murphy (yes, the comedian).
- The Wind Cries Mary was reportedly written after Hendrix had a row with his then-girlfriend Kathy Mary Etchingham. The first lines are said to be inspired by the BBC's test card image.
If you like this, try:
Cream: Disraeli Gears
Muddy Waters: Electric Mud
Stevie Ray Vaughan: Texas Flood
Jeff Beck: Truth
