GH World Tour Gets Hendrix License News

Previously, the only Jimi Hendrix track to feature in a Guitar Hero game was Spanish Castle Magic in the first GH game. Now, according to a CBC News report, it seems The Wind Cries Mary and a live version of Purple Haze will appear alongside a Jimi Hendrix character in Guitar Hero World Tour.

We already knew that Jimi's music would appear in GH World Tour, but no details had been released on which tracks would be featured, let alone that the guitar icon would be making a trip back from the grave to appear in the game itself.

A Jimi Hendrix-esque character has appeared in previous Guitar Hero games (complete with a levitating Lotus position for his Star Power performance), but the news that Jimi Hendrix's likeness will appear officially in GH World Tour is certainly pretty 'groovy baby'.

This is thanks to a deal that Activision has struck with Experience Hendrix (the company responsible for the Hendrix estate). We can only hope that every detail of the character will be nailed from his re-strung guitars, to playing the axe with his 'teeth', and setting his guitars alight (perhaps they could skip the excessive drug taking though).

Exactly which live version of Purple Haze will be in the game is unclear at this point, although we do know that it's from a 1969 performance. One of the most widely reproduced live versions of Purple Haze is from Hendrix's set at the Royal Albert Hall in February of 1969, so there's a good chance it'll be that recording.

Downloadable content featuring more Hendrix tracks is planned by Activision following World Tour's release in November, placing the ball very firmly in Rock Band and Harmonix's court for the next headline grabbing rhythm game announcement.