Song purchase riles Hendrix heirs

A private bidder paid $15 million for the rights to hit songs by U.S. rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix at an auction in New York, but a company owned by the musician’s family said it will sue to prove it owns the songs.

The rights, title and interest to songs including “Hey Joe,” “Purple Haze,” “Voodoo Child” and “Foxy Lady” were sold over the telephone in New York on Thursday by the estate of Michael Frank Jeffrey, Hendrix’s onetime manager.

“Whoever bought this bought themselves the right to be a litigant,” said Bob Merlis, a spokesman for Experience Hendrix. The Seattle-based company is owned by members of Hendrix’s family.