Purple Haze track on the American release of "Are You Experienced" on August 23, 1967. Because of the song's airplay on underground FM radio, the album became more popular than Hendrix's singles. One of Hendrix's most popular songs, "Purple Haze" appears on numerous compilation albums. Some of these include "Smash Hits", "The Essential Jimi Hendrix", "The Singles Album", "Kiss the Sky", "", "The Ultimate Experience", "", "", and "The Singles Collection". An alternative version recorded at the same time, but with different vocal and guitar overdubs, is the first song on "The Jimi Hendrix Experience" 2000 box set. Live recordings of "Purple
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Animals bassist, Chas Chandler, formed a backing band with bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell. Mitchell was a seasoned London drummer formerly with Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames. Hendrix chose Redding because of his attitude towards music and his hairstyle. Redding had been a guitar player until that time, but played bass in the band. The name "The Jimi Hendrix Experience" was coined by their business manager Michael Jeffery. The first official appearance of "The Jimi Hendrix Experience" (invited by French singer Johnny Hallyday) was at the "Novelty" in Évreux, France, on October 13, 1966. Six days later