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.

[@jeffstewart3342]

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

[@tonyr.3435]

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]

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

[@MrZombayu]

And Santa?

[@SatelliteSoundLab]

same here.

[@richarddennis4345]

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

[@stephendoriankutos4429]

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]

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]

@@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]

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

[@JM-ms6uo]

@@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. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqKbe5KNetaUjac

[@stephendoriankutos4429]

@@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.

[@garyflannery2710]

Considering I was born in 1965 too young to be a hippie. The only recording I've ever heard was from Jimi Hendrix. And I've always loved it. Hearing this for the first time ever at the age of 58. I can say I like this original recording just as well. Thank you for posting this on KZbin.

[@Travasaurus]

You need to listen to "The Leaves" 'original' version, a big hit very shortly after this one... kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnS9f3mGlt9kn9ksi=l1HtZvaiQj4-mBQG

[@martyacosta2335]

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 version 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]

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]

@@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]

@@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]

"This song" doesn't have a bass line

[@user-ft4jp1yq5f]

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

[@neilhenson3540]

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]

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

[@neilhenson3540]

@@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]

@@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]

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]

yeah, link didn't work.

[@stephendoriankutos4429]

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]

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]

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]

@@BretLevickMusic Such a cool story!

[@kimmicampbell708]

Yes please

[@julieparrish1364]

Stephen Dorian Kutos keep em comin big guy,peace.

[@billyrubin3108]

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

[@PeterSavad]

It's a fake.

[@1blastman]

@@PeterSavad prove it.

[@kengilbert2620]

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

[@robsummers8344]

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]

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 kzbin.info/www/bejne/labWnGing7qJnbc

[@robsummers8344]

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]

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

[@davidm9618]

Jimi is overrated.

[@williamcavanagh8982]

It's called stealing...hardly genius.

[@castelodeossos3947]

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.

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

[@malcolmdouglasjr2178]

Cool story. Love Jimi RIP!

[@XX-qi5eu]

Next class, try using the song, Da doo ron ron.

[@colerainfan1143]

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

[@PavlovsDawgakaMindContro-cp2gw]

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

[@chuckwagon5518]

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

[@pcollenyt3683]

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

[@erepsekahs]

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

[@philgeorge667]

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

[@johnstrand2247]

Same thing I was thinking.

[@rockersmood1609]

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

[@MC828Alex]

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.

[@davidsummerville351]

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

[@PeterSavad]

It's fake.

[@sixslinger9951]

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

[@michaelpetrose9272]

If you believe all the info on KZbin, he actually stole this song from his girlfriend Niela Miller, who was that writer. You can find her version (quite good btw) at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHauY3h6pt2jmbs&ab_channel=DaveWood

[@anderssigfeldt335]

The ildest is about 100 yaers old Anders sweden Göteborg

[@joshuayettou9032]

Very cool indeed!

[@will2741]

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

[@jegarajramoo3873]

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]

The breathtaking lyrics?

[@PeterSavad]

It's fake dude.

[@stephenandrews8419]

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 👍

To see the actual recording?

[@FuzzyDancingBear]

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

[@RusticRockMusic]

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

[@alanthesheep6428]

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

[@RusticRockMusic]

@@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]

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

[@RusticRockMusic]

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]

​​@@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.

[@5micky2]

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.

[@jaimesanverg69]

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

[@PeterSavad]

It's fake.

[@stefanfeigl3847]

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

[@michaelshaw972]

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

[@norbertvanettinger8791]

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

[@sandrakemkers3158]

no, it isn't. Check Niela Miller.

[@riffraffactual]

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

[@v-town1980]

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

[@rridderbusch518]

R.I.P. Billy Roberts 1936-2017

[@reason5591]

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]

Same here, I'm 61.

[@MrHammerman97]

@@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]

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

[@guitarocd9984]

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

[@debpettinato5975]

Everyday everyday

[@luiscorro1924]

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.

[@daindm]

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!

[@mattelder4204]

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

[@anilchitnis3637]

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]

I think the original was written by Joe South

[@johnbauman4005]

​@@pestell02No.

[@Oldcrow77]

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]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4jIhKqMbpKed5osi=biDYm4mA0ra91x8N

[@gaddyify]

Hendrixs took this song and lyrics to another level.

[@johnsaxon7940]

Did so with All Along the Watchtower too

[@maryeavenson2873]

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

[@michaelstevenson470]

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

[@maryeavenson2873]

@@michaelstevenson470 I guess not

[@karenredd7365]

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

[@mickthemerciless9694]

Very interesting to hear original demos.

[@PeterSavad]

It's fake.

[@Michi181079]

I love this Version! Great tune.

[@roguesgallery4228]

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]

Yup

[@PrivateSi]

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]

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]

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

[@PrivateSi]

@@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!

[@cautionTosser]

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.

[@eriksudberg]

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

[@pj7555]

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

[@patrickshore5859]

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

[@G3Ld0fCapdutronc]

iNCROYABLE CE DOCUMENT !!!!! Merci !

[@tashijoe21]

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

[@suzyquatro6470]

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]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hey_Joe

[@blix4199]

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

[@eg8419]

thank you for this astounding video.

[@JKlasen]

Incredible! This is what makes YT a great resource.

[@jujumulligan43]

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!😊

[@phillipparfitt3973]

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]

So glad I found this nugget. Thanks for posting.

[@petermccarthy8263]

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 ?

[@duvalito6021]

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

[@klowen7778]

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

[@michaelherndon9573]

Lmao​@@klowen7778

[@mr.bonesbbq3288]

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

[@stephendoriankutos4429]

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

[@kendokunti]

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

[@joeld_i4052]

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]

It sounds like a 12 string.

[@Not_what_it_used_to_be]

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

[@joeld_i4052]

@@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.

[@mt.rushmore7916]

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

[@jjimywoods1363]

Brilliant

[@MacPakinga-gl8bu]

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 ❤

[@SonicSurf3r]

Fascinating. Thank you for sourcing & posting

[@stephendoriankutos4429]

You are welcome! Thank you for viewing!

[@turboschicht]

I've never heard before. It's great, thanks for sharing! Greetings from the Netherlands

[@nanook8721]

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.

[@joypcs_official]

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]

I know what you mean 😊

[@randallkomisarek2875]

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.

[@vanodyssey1659]

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.

[@ianstobie]

Great find. Thanks for putting it up.

[@dwaynes5983]

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

[@ansellovestogroworganicall2180]

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

[@kayvancooten4657]

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]

try deep purple's version

[@billking8843]

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]

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

[@jazzandbluesculturalherita2547]

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

[@billking8843]

@@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.

[@Terribleathletes]

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]

It is indeed. and its a quite simple one.

[@Bamboozled01]

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

[@Brytons_Thoughts]

Holy cow, after YEARS it finally has surfaced!

[@richardgann5400]

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??

[@scottkremer8660]

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]

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]

-Who knew?

[@hopfrogg9599]

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

[@doktorsultanaszazin5759]

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

[@englishwithclint8415]

@today is not yesterday and 1917 !!!

[@caroltaylor7894]

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

[@peadarmacconnmhaigh4337]

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

[@SimonWH1]

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

[@markir1947]

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]

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

[@davegmalherbe]

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

[@butterflymoon6368]

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

[@upmyown]

Thanks Stephen, great quality recording

[@thekarmafarmer608]

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

[@glenmclendon9209]

Now I know where Jimi Hendrix got this great song .

[@rajkoboric]

From Niela Miller: "Baby, Please Don't Go to Town"

[@beatle9239]

She gets no credit for it. But it was interesting to learn the real beginning of the song and how the lyrics changed over the years.from her original song and title.

[@lucasjackson3559]

Jimi Hendrix covered The Leaves version of Hey Joe, not this early version.

[@danamichelle1290]

Fun fact: His All Along The Watchtower was a cover too.

[@steveschijns3204]

@@lucasjackson3559 The Leaves and various other L.A. bands of the time played the revved-up version; it was Tim Rose who slowed it down. Hendrix worked off the Tim Rose version.

[@01hennessy]

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]

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]

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

[@01hennessy]

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

[@robertlisternicholls]

Wonderful and very moving images. Thank you for posting.

[@nerfero]

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

[@greendemon70]

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

[@denisbergeron9783]

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

[@heavenlyeyes4605]

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!! WOWW MAN

[@tomatencio9223]

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

[@kingcormack8004]

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]

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"....

[@janepowers6711]

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]

mine too

[@markir1947]

Yes, great album. Arthur Lee was great.

[@sedoff1948]

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

[@vin5388]

Was just a much looking forward to the comments but the video was so captivating-Thanks for posting!

[@commonsensibility2051]

I love this

[@textsmsmaster9884]

Hey Stephen .. I grew up in the 50's and thru the 60's .. started guitar in "66 .. Hey Joe was my first group of songs I learned .. to hear this original recording will not change the way I perform it now but it will change the words I originally learned from Hendrix and many other renditions after .. thank you posting .. it's in my collection now

[@ew3rivera112]

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

[@brianwells4507]

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

[@mscommerce]

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.

[@jasonrowe344]

Amazing. I loved the images as well.

[@stephendoriankutos4429]

Thank you kindly!

[@briandeking3405]

Thank you for this recording!

[@rocketpoolpki]

Simply awesome...thank you for uploading.

[@edwindude9893]

Nobody beats the USA for raw simple guitar musical talent. Gets my neck hairs standing to attention like a Royal Marine. I know these things.

[@FFM0594]

Nobody gives a fuck what you know.

[@ronedwards9133]

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

[@johnnisbet]

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

[@mikelistman5263]

This is great...thanks for posting!

[@cabngirl]

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

[@edwardcave1947]

It’s amazing how humble people produced big hits in the 60-70’s

[@user-zx8qq1so7j]

The new guys let the computer do the hard work making them sound the same, nothing more original than a man and his instrument

[@swimminwitdafishes8059]

I truly miss the 60’s. Looking back they were very turbulent times, but being born in the late 40’s, they were the days of my youth and the best part of my life.

[@tremendous2464]

That's amazing, thank you for sharing this