Cliffs Vinyl Blog
Jimi Hendrix Released "Hey Joe" This Week in 1966
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The Jimi Hendrix Experience made their meteoric debut with the release of the single “Hey Joe” b/w “Stone Free” on Friday, December 16, 1966.Folk rock singer Tim Rose’s slower version of the song recorded in 1966, claimed to be Rose’s arrangement of a wholly traditional song) inspired the first single by The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
The ex-bassist for The Animals, Chas Chandler, who was now focusing on managing other acts, had seen Rose performing the song at the Cafe Wha? in New York City and was looking for an artist to record a rock version of “Hey Joe”. Chandler discovered Jimi Hendrix, who had also been playing at the Cafe Wha? in 1966 and performing an arrangement of “Hey Joe” inspired by Rose’s rendition. Chandler decided to take Hendrix with him to England in September 1966, where he would subsequently turn the guitarist into a star. Tim Rose re-recorded “Hey Joe” in the 1990s, re-titling it “Blue Steel .44” and again claimed the song as his own arrangement of a traditional song.Released in December 1966, Hendrix’s version became a hit in the United Kingdom, entering the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart in January 1967 and peaking at #6. The single was released in the United States on May 1, 1967, but failed to chart. “Hey Joe”, as recorded by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, with backing vocals by the Breakaways, remains the best-known version of the song and is listed as No. 201 on Rolling Stone magazine’s The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2009 it was named the 22nd greatest hard rock song of all time by VH1. “Hey Joe” was the last song Jimi Hendrix performed at the Woodstock festival in 1969 and as such, it was also the final song of the whole festival. The song was performed after the crowd, comprising the 80,000 who hadn’t yet left the festival, cheered for an encore. It could not have been predicted, despite how good this song was, just what a huge impression Hendrix and the Experience would make on the music world.
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The Beatles "REVOLVER" Turned 60 December 3!
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It was the Beatles 6th album, coming out just 4 months after the “Help” album. How did they knock out so many great songs so quickly? During that time the band had toured the USA and Canada, including the record-breaking Shae Stadium concert. For me, this was the album that impressed me most. I remember buying the album, gazing at the cover on the train on the way home from work, driving down and picking up my then girlfriend, (now my wife,,,,still!) and playing it over and over.1 sons from John and Paul, two from George one from Lennon-McCartney-Starkey. Also recorded at the same time was “Day Tripper” and “We Can Work It Out”, their 11th single. This, with the “Rubber Soull” album gave the Beatles their third consecutive No.1 single and Album for the third consecutive Christmas. Rubber Soul topped the British Charts for 9 weeks, as well as hitting No.1 in the USA, Australia,, Canada and many others countries.
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This Day, 1963,saw The Beatles Command Performance
Yes, November 4, 1963. This was the night of The Beatles’ famous appearance at the Royal Command Performance at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London, in the presence of the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret.
By 1963 Beatlemania was an established phenomenon, with the group drawing huge and frenzied audiences across the country and beyond. Although they were seventh on the 19-act bill on this night, they were by far the most anticipated performers to appear.
The Beatles began playing their opening song, ‘From Me To You’, before the curtains had opened. The band bowed in unison ()there now famous bow)at the end of the second song, ‘She Loves You’, after which McCartney made a nervous joke about Sophie Tucker being their “favourite American group”. They followed this with a performance of ‘Till There Was You’.Prior to finishing their set, Lennon made the now famous announcement which won over any remaining doubters and guaranteed them headlines in all the next day’s newspapers.
“For our last number I’d like to ask your help. The people in the cheaper seats clap your hands. And the rest of you, if you’d just rattle your jewellery. We’d like to sing a song called ‘Twist And Shout’”
Continue reading "This Day, 1963,saw The Beatles Command Performance"
This Day, 1963,saw The Beatles Command Performance
Yes, November 4, 1963. This was the night of The Beatles’ famous appearance at the Royal Command Performance at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London, in the presence of the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret.
By 1963 Beatlemania was an established phenomenon, with the group drawing huge and frenzied audiences across the country and beyond. Although they were seventh on the 19-act bill on this night, they were by far the most anticipated performers to appear.
The Beatles began playing their opening song, ‘From Me To You’, before the curtains had opened. The band bowed in unison ()there now famous bow)at the end of the second song, ‘She Loves You’, after which McCartney made a nervous joke about Sophie Tucker being their “favourite American group”. They followed this with a performance of ‘Till There Was You’.Prior to finishing their set, Lennon made the now famous announcement which won over any remaining doubters and guaranteed them headlines in all the next day’s newspapers.
“For our last number I’d like to ask your help. The people in the cheaper seats clap your hands. And the rest of you, if you’d just rattle your jewellery. We’d like to sing a song called ‘Twist And Shout’”
Continue reading "This Day, 1963,saw The Beatles Command Performance"
The Badfinger Influence
Like most music fans, I first heard Badfinger when they did “Come and Get It”. This was the Paul McCartney written song featuring Tom Evans on vocals.This was followed by “No Matter What” and “Day After Day”, with George Harrison lending a hand.How good were those songs? Badfinger was one of the first Apple signings. Often accused of just being a Beatles following band, with classic harmonies, hook laden guitars and great compositions, Molland explained this was due to similar background and musical influences.Badfinger featured powerful sound, and brilliant compositions. Some of their classic songs included “Baby Blue” “Suitcase” (especially the live version)” Blodwyn”, “Better Days”, “Love Is Gonna Come at Last”, and of course “Without You”.I didn’t know this was a Ham-Evans song until I belatedly got the “No Dice” album in my record shop.Just listen to the album “Badfinger Live at the BBC” to get an idea of what a great live band they were. Unfortunately, Badfinger are also remembered for tragedy and manager exploitation.Ripped off by their manager Stan Polley, the band members were left in dire financial straits. This pressure lead to the suicide of founder members Pete Ham in 1975, and later Tom Evans in 1983.But the Badfinger legend lives on, their influence still felt today.
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