If Six Was Nine

Zoo Freaks, get ready to wave your freak flags high as The Zoo Crew spins the counterculture anthem "If Six Was Nine" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience from their 1967 album Axis: Bold As Love. This track, a psychedelic blend of blues and rebellion, almost didn’t make it to the album. Jimi Hendrix misplaced the master tapes for half of Axis: Bold As Love, and recreating the original mix was a challenge. Thankfully, bassist Noel Redding had a rough mix at home, which engineer Eddie Kramer salvaged, though he noted the original’s quality was never fully recaptured. The song’s raw energy came from a jam session, with Hendrix later adding lyrics that defiantly reject conformity, famously declaring, “I’m gonna wave my freak flag high.”

The recording process for "If Six Was Nine" was a cosmic convergence of creativity and chaos. Hendrix, in a playful mood, bought a beat-up recorder from a London street vendor and used it in the track, though he was so embarrassed by it that the album credits listed it as a flute. Posts on X from 2017 and 2018 highlight this quirky choice, noting Hendrix’s reluctance to admit to playing the recorder. The song also features a unique percussion effect, with producer Chas Chandler, Hendrix, and guests Graham Nash and Gary Leeds stomping on a drum riser. Hendrix himself described the track as a “great feeling of blues,” reflecting his vision of a nontraditional blues that captured his personal revolution, as quoted in David Henderson’s book ‘Scuse Me While I Kiss the Sky.

The lyrics of "If Six Was Nine" resonate as an individualist anthem, inspired by the 1960s counterculture and possibly influenced by Frank Waters’ Book of the Hopi, which Hendrix read. The song’s defiance of societal norms—hippies cutting their hair or conservatives pointing fingers—struck a chord, appearing in the soundtracks for Easy Rider (1969) and Point Break (1991). Its innovative guitar solo, with stereo panning, fuzzbox distortion, and reverb, showcased Hendrix’s studio wizardry. A post from @vurnt22 on X in 2023 called it an “ice cold declaration of defiance & freedom,” praising drummer Mitch Mitchell’s standout performance. The Jimi Hendrix official Facebook page shared a behind-the-scenes film in 2025 about the song’s creation, emphasizing its enduring legacy.

Jimi Hendrix, born James Marshall Hendrix on November 27, 1942, in Seattle, Washington, began his musical journey in a city rich with jazz and blues. As a teenager, he taught himself guitar, inspired by legends like Muddy Waters and B.B. King. After a brief stint in the army, Hendrix played backup for artists like Little Richard and the Isley Brothers, honing his craft in the chitlin’ circuit. In 1966, he moved to New York, performing as Jimmy James and the Blue Flames. His big break came when Animals bassist Chas Chandler saw him play at a Greenwich Village club and convinced him to move to London. There, Hendrix formed The Jimi Hendrix Experience with Noel Redding on bass and Mitch Mitchell on drums, launching a career that revolutionized rock with his virtuosic guitar work and psychedelic sound.

Zoo Freaks can dive deeper into Hendrix’s world through his official channels and fan communities. Visit the official website at jimihendrix.com for discography and news. Follow updates on Facebook, Instagram, and X for rare photos and videos, like the 2025 post about "If Six Was Nine". Fans gather on Jimi Hendrix Fans on Facebook, a vibrant group sharing memories and tributes. The r/jimihendrix subreddit is another hub, with posts like one from 2022 praising Axis: Bold As Love as a favorite. These spaces keep Hendrix’s spirit alive, perfect for Zoo Freaks looking to connect with fellow devotees.