In the 1960s, Los Angeles was buzzing with new bands inspired by The Beatles and the British Invasion. Among them was The Leaves, a garage rock group that captured national attention with their gritty, fuzz-driven version of “Hey Joe.” Though their moment in the spotlight was brief, their take on the song left a lasting impression on rock history.
Let’s explore how The Leaves rose to fame, the story behind “Hey Joe,” and what happened to the band afterward.
| The Leaves – Artist Profile | |
|---|---|
| Origin | San Fernando Valley, California, USA |
| Genres | Garage rock, psychedelic rock |
| Years Active | 1964–1967; 1970–1971 (reunion) |
| Record Labels | Mira Records, Capitol Records |
| Notable Members | Jim Pons, John Beck, Robert Lee Reiner, Bill Rinehart, Bob Arlin |
| Major Hit | “Hey Joe” (1966) – US Billboard #31 |
| Albums | Hey Joe (1966), All the Good That’s Happening (1967) |
| Notable Appearances | American Bandstand, Shivaree, Shebang, The Cool Ones (film) |
| Legacy | Early pioneers of fuzz-toned garage rock; first successful version of “Hey Joe” |
How The Leaves Got Their Start
The Leaves formed in 1964 in the San Fernando Valley, California. Originally called The Rockwells, the band was founded by Jim Pons (bass/vocals) and Robert Lee Reiner (rhythm guitar), who were both students at Cal State Northridge.
The band’s original lineup included:
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Jim Pons – bass, vocals
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John Beck – vocals, harmonica, tambourine
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Robert Lee Reiner – rhythm guitar
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Bill Rinehart – lead guitar
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Jimmy Kern – drums
They started out playing surf rock and popular dance tunes at parties and fraternity events. Inspired by The Beatles, they eventually shifted toward the rawer sounds of garage rock. This move helped them stand out in the growing Los Angeles music scene.
First Steps into Recording
In 1965, The Leaves signed with Mira Records and released their debut single, “Too Many People.” It became a local hit around Southern California and helped them gain a following. Their next project would be the song that defined them—“Hey Joe.”
But getting it right wasn’t easy.
The Journey of “Hey Joe”
“Hey Joe” wasn’t originally written by The Leaves. It’s a song with a complex past, often credited to Billy Roberts. The Leaves were among the first bands to record it, but they weren’t initially satisfied. They recorded three different versions.
The first two didn’t gain much traction. The band even pulled one version before release. In 1966, lead guitarist Bill Rinehart left and was replaced by Bob Arlin. With Arlin on board, the group recorded a third version of “Hey Joe,” this time with a fuzz-toned guitar riff that gave the track its bite.
That third attempt finally hit the mark.
On May 21, 1966, the song broke into the Billboard Hot 100, eventually peaking at No. 31. It also charted on Cash Box (#41) and Canada’s RPM Magazine (#29). The success of “Hey Joe” brought them national attention and TV appearances on shows like American Bandstand, Shivaree, and Shebang.
Albums and Other Releases
The Leaves quickly followed up with their debut LP, Hey Joe (1966). It featured their hit single and a collection of garage rock tracks. In 1967, they released a second album, All the Good That’s Happening, which leaned more into psychedelic rock. However, it failed to match the success of their debut.
They also appeared in the 1967 film The Cool Ones, further boosting their visibility.
Despite their efforts, The Leaves couldn’t repeat the success of “Hey Joe.” The band broke up later that year.
“Hey Joe”: A Rock Staple
Although The Leaves had only one major hit, their version of “Hey Joe” helped the song gain popularity in the 1960s. It later became a rock standard, covered by hundreds of artists in various styles.
The most famous version came later in 1966, when The Jimi Hendrix Experience released their debut single—a bluesy, psychedelic take on “Hey Joe” that became iconic. Other artists who recorded the song include:
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Deep Purple
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The Byrds
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Spirit
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Robert Plant
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ZZ Top
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Lenny Kravitz
The Leaves’ raw, garage rock interpretation played a major role in making “Hey Joe” a must-cover song in rock circles.
Life After The Leaves
When the band split, its members moved on to new projects:
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Jim Pons joined The Turtles and later played with Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention.
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Bob Arlin embraced psychedelic rock and helped form The Hook and The Robert Savage Group.
In 1970, The Leaves briefly reunited. This version of the band featured:
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Jim Pons
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John Beck
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Buddy Sklar (from The Hook)
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Al Nichols (former bassist of The Turtles)
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Bob “Bullet” Bailey (drummer)
They played at various Los Angeles venues but disbanded again in 1971.
Legacy and Influence
The Leaves are often remembered as a one-hit wonder, but their influence extends beyond that. They captured the spirit of 1960s garage rock—raw, rebellious, and loud. Their take on “Hey Joe” bridged early garage rock with the emerging psychedelic sound.
They also helped set the stage for future rock acts. Bands like The Doors and Love followed in their footsteps, merging gritty guitar riffs with West Coast cool.
Final Thoughts
The Leaves may not have had a long career, but their contribution to rock music—particularly with “Hey Joe”—is undeniable. Their version of the song opened the door for one of the most covered tracks in rock history. For fans of garage and psychedelic rock, The Leaves remain a symbol of the raw energy that defined the 1960s music scene.