May 12, 1967

Jimi Hendrix's 'Are You Experienced': 10 Things You Didn't Know

Rolling Stone

1. The Jimi Hendrix Experience had only been together for a few weeks before recording.

2. Despite its cohesive sound, Are You Experienced was actually recorded in bits and pieces over a five-month period.

3. Mitch Mitchell was almost fired during the early stages of the album.

4. None of the album's original songs were performed live by the Experience before they were recorded – and many were rehearsed for the first time right before the tape rolled.

5. The Octavia pedal, an octave-doubling guitar effect, made its debut on "Purple Haze."

6. "Purple Haze" isn't really about an acid trip.

7. Hendrix hated the U.K. cover of Are You Experienced, and wanted the U.S. version to look more like a Hollies album cover.

8. "Hey Joe" and "Purple Haze" both stiffed as singles in the U.S.

9. Are You Experienced was a hit with black listeners as well as white ones.

10. Rolling Stone gave the album a less-than-favorable write-up.

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Rolling Stone

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Worthless magazine that should have been shut down over 30 years ago...pure trash and their opinion on music is totally irrelevant...