5 Surprising Facts About The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s “Axis: Bold as Love”

With Axis: Bold as Love, Jimi Hendrix took the psychedelic blues he pioneered on Are You Experienced and infused it with new textures, studio experimentation, and a more nuanced lyrical approach. The album’s impact goes beyond its era, influencing countless musicians across genres. Here are five lesser-known facts that reveal how Axis: Bold as Love became a milestone in rock history.

1. The Master Tape Disaster

The release of Axis: Bold as Love nearly didn’t happen as planned. Hendrix accidentally left the master tape for Side A in the back seat of a London taxi, forcing a last-minute remix session to recreate the lost recordings. With a looming deadline, he and producer Chas Chandler worked through the night to redo the mixes. However, one track, If 6 Was 9, was saved by bassist Noel Redding, who had a personal copy of an earlier mix. The tape was damaged and had to be ironed flat before use—proving that rock history sometimes hangs by a thread.

2. The Album Cover That Hendrix Hated

The Axis: Bold as Love cover art, featuring Hendrix and the Experience depicted as Hindu deities, is one of the most striking in rock history—but Hendrix himself despised it. The design was created without his input, and he found it culturally insensitive. He had wanted the artwork to reflect his Native American heritage instead. The controversy surrounding the cover led to bans in some countries and remains a point of discussion about artistic control in the music industry.

3. The Secret of ‘Little Wing’

Hendrix wrote Little Wing after performing at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, capturing the festival’s atmosphere in a song. He described it as putting all the festival’s energy into the form of a girl who “just floats around” like a guardian angel. But musically, the song was just as innovative. Hendrix’s lead guitar was run through a Leslie speaker—typically used for organs—giving it a swirling, ethereal tone that became one of his most imitated sounds.

4. The Sound of ‘Spanish Castle Magic’ Was Inspired by a Real Club

The hard-driving Spanish Castle Magic was inspired by an actual venue: The Spanish Castle, a club in Washington state where Hendrix played as a teenager. The club was a major hub for early rock and R&B, and Hendrix channeled his memories into the song’s psychedelic riff. Musically, the song was groundbreaking too—bassist Noel Redding played an eight-string Hagstrom bass through an Octavia effects unit, which gave it a thick, futuristic tone.

5. ‘If 6 Was 9’ and the Hopi Mythology Connection

On the surface, If 6 Was 9 is a countercultural anthem of individuality, but Hendrix may have drawn inspiration from Native American Hopi mythology. The lyric “If the mountains fell into the sea” echoes a Hopi creation myth about the destruction of the second world. Hendrix was fascinated by Native American and mystical themes, and many of his lyrics reflect these influences. The song’s studio effects—stereo panning, slapback delay, and reverb—further enhance its otherworldly atmosphere.

More than just a sophomore album, Axis: Bold as Love was a turning point in rock history, showing Hendrix’s ability to push musical and technological boundaries. Its influence extends far beyond the late ‘60s, continuing to inspire generations of musicians. Understanding these hidden stories only deepens our appreciation for Hendrix’s genius and the enduring impact of his work.