<P> `` Hey Joe '' is an American popular song from the 1960s that has become a rock standard and has been performed in many musical styles by hundreds of different artists . `` Hey Joe '' tells the story of a man who is on the run and planning to head to Mexico after shooting his unfaithful wife . The song was registered for copyright in the United States in 1962 by Billy Roberts . However , diverse credits and claims have led to confusion about the song 's authorship . The earliest known commercial recording of the song is the late - 1965 single by the Los Angeles garage band the Leaves ; the band then re-recorded the track and released it in 1966 as a follow - up single which became a hit . The best - known version is the Jimi Hendrix Experience 's 1966 recording . The song title is sometimes given as `` Hey Joe , Where You Gonna Go ? '' or similar variations . </P>
<P> `` Hey Joe '' is an American popular song from the 1960s that has become a rock standard and has been performed in many musical styles by hundreds of different artists . `` Hey Joe '' tells the story of a man who is on the run and planning to head to Mexico after shooting his unfaithful wife . The song was registered for copyright in the United States in 1962 by Billy Roberts . However , diverse credits and claims have led to confusion about the song 's authorship . The earliest known commercial recording of the song is the late - 1965 single by the Los Angeles garage band the Leaves ; the band then re-recorded the track and released it in 1966 as a follow - up single which became a hit . The best - known version is the Jimi Hendrix Experience 's 1966 recording . The song title is sometimes given as `` Hey Joe , Where You Gonna Go ? '' or similar variations . </P>
who did the original version of hey joe
who did the original version of hey joe
the Los Angeles garage band the Leaves
the Los Angeles garage band the Leaves