Hendrix, who takes top honors as number one on Rolling Stone’s List of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, wrote Purple Haze in 1966 and recorded it in 1967. The song was recorded by The Jimi Hendrix Experience then released as Hendrix’s second single in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Purple Haze was released by The Jimi Hendrix Experience on its debut album, Are You Experienced?, a psychedelic music compilation featuring 1960s rock that serves as a model of music of the generation. Are You Experienced? has remained one of the most popular rock albums of all time, and not only features Purple Haze but The Wind Cries Mary, Foxey Lady, Fire, and Are You Experienced?
Trippy Music Finds Roots in 1960s Rock
As a music genre, psychedelic rock or trippy music derived from 1960s rock but was distinctly unique in its fusion of rock, the experimental and expanded use of traditional rock and roll instruments and appearance of eastern music elements and tempos. Trippy music of the 60s included several songs by The Beatles including Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.
Psychedelic 60s music would become the foundation for psychedelic rock of the 1970s and 1980s.
Often cited as one of his greatest songs, Jimi Hendrix Purple Haze epitomizes the psychedelic era of trippy music, known for its screeching lead guitar and hypnotizing bass and drum beat. Hendrix guitar solo is the song’s signature, and he played the tune during his electrifying performances that blazed a new trail and forever changed guitar playing.
Hendrix long held that the song resulted from a dream during which he walked under the sea and his faith in Jesus saved him. An early manuscript found the song titled Purple Haze, Jesus Saves.
Jimi Hendrix Purple Haze Sets Standards in Psychedelic Music
In the 40 years since the song hit the charts, Purple Haze has shifted from its roots in 1960s rock to find a number of new lives. Ozzy Osbourne recorded a heavy metal type version, a pop version was recorded by Dion of Dion and the Belmonts and The Cure recorded its version on its 1993 tribute album Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix.
Guitar Hero World Tour features Purple Haze alongside The Wind Cries Mary and marked the first time that Hendrix’s estate provided the original recordings for use in a game. Hendrix is honored as the best guitar player by being featured as a playable character Guitar Hero.
More than 40 years after its release, Jimi Hendrix Purple Haze remains not only a song that holds as the model of 60s psychedelic music for its musicality, lyrics and style. The song continues to have new life as the challenge for budding and established guitar players as well as a tune covered by amateur and popular bands.
