Author Marc Shapiro releases ‘Hey Joe’ biography

The innovative, hybrid book publisher, Riverdale Avenue Books is pleased to announce the release of their new pop culture title based on the iconic rock song “Hey Joe.” The new book Hey Joe: The Unauthorized Biography of a Rock Classic is by New York Times best-selling author, Marc Shapiro, chronicles the history and origins of the song.

Legend goes that “Hey Joe” was a momentary blip on the pop music scene in 1965 courtesy of a Southern California band named The Leaves. It would be their only hit. But over the next 50-plus years, the quirky song about premediated murder went on to become something special, a musical rite of passage for legends like Jimi Hendrix, Patti Smith, Led Zeppelin, and countless others. Nearly 3,000 versions of “Hey Joe” have been recorded and released, which range from familiar, obscure and, in many cases, downright impossible to find.

“Marc’s deep research answers the questions listeners are dying to know such as who are the authors of the song and which musicians actually recorded it first,” says Publisher Lori Perkins. “Plus aren’t we all are curious to know where Joe goes with that gun in his hand?”

“’Hey Joe’ was a rite of passage for me in the 60’s,” states Shapiro. “When I discovered the song it was literally on and off the radio in a matter of weeks and had gone on to have such a profound impact on the world of music on such a massive level. I knew it was a story that had to be told.”

The book is part, history, part mystery and part memoir. “Hey Joe” includes the memories of countless well known musicians who were part of the “Hey Joe” odyssey, a detailed look at the history of “Hey Joe,” the song that few have ever thought to think deeply about and the rumors, legends and outlandish tales surrounding the song that ultimately culminate in the ultimate question.

Downloads of this book will be available on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles Nook, iTunes, Kobo and wherever e-books are downloaded.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com