I just stumbled upon another freaky coincidence that is not unlike Germany’s 1966 one-off single by The Dead-Heads:  In the year 1968, two artists – The Jimi Hendrix Experience and singer, Robert Ray Whitley – would both release original songs entitled “1983”!   Am I the only one who finds that bizarre?   Who wants to bet that Ray Whitley’s “1983” sounds even remotely similar to Hendrix’s epic 13-minute underwater odyssey?

That same year Dion (“Runaround Sue”) DiMucci would release his version of hoary Hendrix classic “Purple Haze” that is curiously – and musically – defiant.  Dion uses the song’s lyrics .. and discards the rest!  If you prefer your “Purple Haze” as a downbeat pastoral ballad, then you’re really in for a treat:

“Purple Haze”     Dion     1968

“1983” by “beach music composer” Ray Whitley