Rear-View Mirror: Hendrix and The Beatles weren't good enough for Dick Rowe CBC Music - Free Streaming Radio, Videos, Songs, Concerts & Playlists

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Every week, Rich Terfry looks back in our Rear-view Mirror at a great song from the good ol’ days. This week, Jimi Hendrix and "Hey Joe".

Dick Rowe was one of the most important producers and record executives in rock history. He signed many now-legendary acts to their first record deals and produced several number one hits. Yet his name lives in infamy for perhaps having the worst instincts or ears for talent of all-time!

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Dick Rowe got it right many times in his career in music. As an A&R man, he signed big names like The Zombies, The Small Faces and Tom Jones. He also produced Van Morrison's first big hit, "Gloria."

But Dick Rowe learned the hard way. Early in his career, he got it wrong. Historically wrong. Not once, but twice.

Beatles manager Brian Epstein brought the band to Rowe for a one-hour audition in 1962. Rowe rejected the band famously saying, "Guitar groups are on their way out, Mr. Epstein." One month later, The Beatles signed a deal with EMI and quickly became the biggest and most important rock band in history.

Later, Dick Rowe ran into George Harrison. Acknowledging that he blew it, he asked Harrison if there were any other bands he should look out for. Harrison told him to check out The Rolling Stones. He did just that and signed them to a deal with little hesitation.

Four years later, Dick Rowe blew it again, big time. He heard an audition tape by a young musician from Seattle that some were saying was the greatest guitarist in the world. The demo Rowe heard was of a song called "Hey Joe." Somehow Rowe didn't hear the talent and his infamy was written in stone when flatly rejected Jimi Hendrix.

Hendrix signed a deal with another label shortly after and "Hey Joe" was released as his first single, which became a hit, of course, and once again a legend was born.

Here's the song that launched Jimi Hendrix' career and sealed Dick Rowe's fate as the man with the worst instincts in rock history. Interesting side note, this was the last song played at the Woodstock festival in 1969. "Hey Joe" by Jimi Hendrix.