One of the Greatest Drum Solos of All Time Belongs to 1967 Classic - And It Still Rocks

The Jimi Hendrix Experience laid down some of the greatest rock songs of all time, but were thrown together in a matter of just a few days.

The band was comprised of Noel Redding, who had never played bass in his life but was asked to switch from guitar thanks to the greatness that was Jimi Hendrix, and jazz drummer Mitch Mitchell, whose inclusion in the band was reportedly decided on a coin flip.

"There was Noel, and he'd never played a bass in his life. Hendrix arrived in a Humphrey Bogart raincoat, with his Stratocaster and two little Burns amps. They had already auditioned something like thirty drummers. We just played over various rhythms and that was that. Hendrix said: ‘Okay, see you around,'" Mitchell said of their first meeting.

"Chas said there was a gig in Paris the next week with [French pop sensation] Johnny Hallyday and asked if we fancied doing it. So we said okay and spent three days rehearsing, then off we went. And that was how it started. There was complete freedom in what we played. It was like escaping from jail."

'If 6 Was 9' Named Among Best Drum Solos

Mitchell was the author of a number of some of the greatest drum solos of all time, playing alongside an equally great legend in Hendrix. The two were at the top of their game when they recorded If 6 Was 9 for their second album, Axis: Bold as Love, which reached into the top 10 of the UK and U.S. charts.

The iconic track came in at No. 7 on a list of the best drum solos of all time on the Top Tens, generated by fan voting.

"Drummers don't always get the spotlight, but when they do, they make sure you remember it. There's something about a great drum solo that gets your heart racing. Maybe it's the thunderous rolls, the rapid-fire fills, or the sheer endurance it takes to pull one off. A killer drum break can turn a good song into something unforgettable," the list said.

That was the case with Mitchell's profound performance.

Related: One of the Greatest Drum Solos of All Time Belongs to 1966 Hit - And It Still Hits

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 27, 2026 at 4:34 PM.