1968 Rock Classic Was Recorded 58 Years Ago Today
1968 Rock Classic Was Recorded 58 Years Ago Today
Nicole MooreSun, May 3, 2026 at 9:25 PM UTC
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The Jimi Hendrix Experience's celebrated hit “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)," off the band's 1968 record, Electric Ladyland, was recorded on May 3, 1968, as reported by Classic Rock WMGK 102.9.
Famed classic rock engineer Eddie Kramer discussed the recording of "Voodoo Chile," off the same record, and “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" in a behind-the-scenes interview.
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According to Kramer, the band's frontman, Jimi Hendrix, came up with "Voodoo Chile" because he "wanted to jam" with a set of musicians, specifically guitarist and keyboard player Steve Winwood and Jefferson Airplane bassist Jack Casady. Kramer said that Hendrix was able to convince Winwood and Casady to record with him after seeing them perform together. The Electric Ladyland recording engineer complimented both Winwood and Casady for elevating the song and their ability to play off of Hendrix's expert guitar skills.
He then shared “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" was recorded "a day or so after" "Voodoo Chile." Kramer stated that the two songs complement each other and act as the acclaimed record's "book ends," despite being "complete opposites." He explained that while "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" "is structured," "Voodoo Chile" has a "loose, open feel" that Hendrix, who died at the age of 27 in 1970, preferred.
Stevie Ray Vaughan Famously Covered 'Voodoo Child (Slight Return)'
The 1968 song was famously covered by blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, who died in 1990 at the age of 35, for his 1984 album, Couldn't Stand The Weather. In a 1985 interview, Vaughan spoke about his appreciation for Hendrix. While he dismissed that he and Hendrix were similar in their guitar playing, he said they both enjoyed performing exactly what they wanted.
"Well, basically there's one similarity. He played everything that he ever heard that excited him. I play everything I ever heard excited me. And obviously, I do respect him very, very much," said Vaughan in the 1985 interview.
This story was originally published by Parade on May 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
