Take a Walk on the Dark Side

by R. Gary Patterson

  Danneman goes on to explain Hendrix’s belief that when positive energy is reversed it becomes negative. To demonstrate this to her, Hendrix wrote GOD and then DOG. He explained that there is duality in Nature and that since he’d discovered this concept he had become much more careful in his choice of words. He claimed at the time that he tried to avoid the use of the word “God.” Next, Hendrix wrote DEVIL and again mentioned that the reverse form spells out LIVED.

  Then Jimi gave Monika a lesson in numerology. He wrote the number 8 and explained that for various reasons it is used for evil purposes. He subsequently wrote the number 15 in front of DEVIL, and the sign =. In this case he claimed that 15 equals the Devil. Hendrix then commented on the number 7, and claimed that this number was a very special and positive number. Danneman remembers Jimi stating that 7 is full of mysteries and had many important meanings that were to be revealed. According to Hendrix, the number 7 is the most important number.

  Danneman further elaborates on Hendrix’s reasoning: “The earth and the spirit are linked strongly with the number 7. Also, every seventh year, there is a change in the body. It’s a circle to put things right, and because of this, everything alters and evolves around it. Jimi pointed out to me that in the past other civilizations had to go through these circles connected with the number 7, going through a peak, and then some sacrifices have to be made, some effort gone through, which he symbolized by drawing a cross over each circle. ‘That is the way evolution happens,’ he said.

  “Then Jimi drew four 7s opposing one another, thus forming a spiral of 7s, a symbol which is known as the swastika cross. He explained that it is of vital importance which direction the 7s are pointing in, because this shows whether the symbol has a good or an evil meaning.”9

  Obviously, this was a reference to the Nazi adoption of the swastika in World War II and in Hitler’s study and collection of occult artifacts. Hitler was also said to have come in possession of the Spear of Longinus (The Spear of Destiny). This relic was said to be the spear used to pierce Christ’s side during the crucifixion and it gave its owner vast amounts of power—in some cases, the power to rule the world. The spear, according to legend, had also been in the possession of Bismarck during his rise to power as German chancellor. Hitler was also in search of other mysterious occult artifacts that would increase his power. This search included the Holy Grail, the goblet used by Christ at the Last Supper and later by Joseph of Arimathea to collect Christ’s blood during the crucifixion. According to the legend of the Grail, it has appeared throughout history in various places and to many individuals. Some have actually claimed ownership of the vessel (and I’ll bet you thought all those Harrison Ford movies were completely fictitious!). Hitler’s belief in the occult was so well-known that it was purported that the “V for Victory” gesture used by Winston Churchill, and adopted by the Allies during World War II, was actually a sign used to ward off evil. It has been insinuated that the gesture was given to the British Prime Minister by none other than Aleister Crowley, the leading master of magic in Great Britain.

  Since Jimi Hendrix believed in numerology to such a great extent, let’s determine what his numbers reveal about his personality. First of all, according to Richard Cavendish’s The Black Arts, we have to prepare the proper chart so here we go:

  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

  A B C D E F G H I

  J K L M N O P Q R

  S T U V W X Y Z

  To translate Jimi Hendrix’s name into its proper numerological form, we first must find the number associated with each of his name’s letters. Therefore, J =(1) I= (9) M= (4) I= (9) H=(8) E=(5) N=(5) D=(4) R=(9) I=(9) X=(6). Now, we add the numbers together 1+9+4+9+8+5+5+4+9+6= 69. The entire numerical value of Hendrix’s name is 69. Isn’t it strange that these two numbers are represented in “If 6 Was 9” (On the Axis: Bold as Love album)? Coincidence? The 6 and 9 are then added together to reach the number 15. Again the 1 and 5 are added together to arrive at the number 6. In this calculation Jimi Hendrix’s destiny would be controlled by the number 6. According to Cavendish, “six is a ‘perfect’ number. A ‘perfect’ number is one that equals the sum of its proper divisors other than itself. The proper divisors of 6 (apart from 6 itself) are 1, 2, and 3, and 1+2+3=6 … 6 is regarded as a balanced, well-integrated, harmonious number, not torn by internal conflict, and so the 6-nature is balanced, well-adjusted, and contented… 6 people are affectionate, reliable, and hardworking … They may be extremely successful in the arts, because they have the creative power of 3 twice (6=3+3). ‘Three’ is associated with the Trinity and is a symbol of completeness.”10

  In Louis Stewart’s Life Forces, the author says that to determine our destiny we must first calculate our “life-path number.” Jimi Hendrix was born on November 27, 1942. November is the eleventh month (11), on the twenty-seventh day (27), in the year 1942. Now, if we search for the life-path number, 11+27+1942= 1980; 1+9+8+0=18; 1+8=9. The numeral 9 now becomes the life-path for the guitar great. A 9 life path leads to “A cosmopolitan life, full of achievement but also of sacrifice. People born as 9 are especially open-minded, but at the same time they tend to be ironic and cold. They can be sure that whatever happens to them will be intense.”11 There is no doubting that Jimi Hendrix’s life was “intense.” However, reading a book on numerology is much like looking at a horoscope and seeing a general pattern that you can adapt to your present-day life. It is much easier predicting the future when you know the outcome. Still, in looking at the repetition of the number values found in Jimi Hendrix’s name, you can’t help but notice that the number 9 is dominant in that it is repeated three times. The next repeated numeral is the 5. According to books on numerology, the number 5 represents a sensual person, since we have five senses. It is also is said to denote “a life of adventure, travel, and sudden changes. There’s often a strong emphasis on sex. Some ‘5’ people become entirely too adventure-some and unattached; then there’s a danger of alcoholism, drug addiction, and repetitious sex.”12

  As far as the number 9 is concerned with Jimi Hendrix’s fate, remember that he was born on November 27 (2+7=9) in 1942, and he died on September 18, 1970. He was pronounced dead at 11:25 P.M. Now Hendrix’s life had indeed come full circle. He was born on the twenty-seventh, which equals 9 and died in September (ninth month) on the eighteenth (1+8=9) at 11:25 P.M. (1+1+2+5=9). The immediate cause of death was given as “inhalation of vomit,” possibly due to Jimi Hendrix’s taking nine Vesperax sleeping pills. When Monika finally called for an ambulance she dialed the emergency prefix 999. He died at the age of twenty-seven (2+7=9), the exact age of his mother when she died in 1958. Following Hendrix’s death, “The two persons closest to him on a personal and a business level, Devon Wilson [former girlfriend] and Michael Jeffrey [manager], both died strange and violent deaths soon after he left this world, Devon in an ambiguous plunge from the upper stories of the Chelsea Hotel in New York City and Jeffrey in an exploding commercial airliner. Other close associates died, got strung out, or went mad soon after his death.”13 In this case we can see that Hendrix’s fate was peculiarly tied to the numerals 6 and 9, just as “If 6 Was 9” suggests.

  Other numbers have been tied to various rock stars’ fates, but probably none more bizarre than in the case of John Lennon and the number 9. In the great Ray Coleman’s definitive biography, Lennon, the author lists a number of unusual coincidences involving John Lennon and the number 9. John was aware that the number 9 seemed to have a powerful connection to his life. He was born at 6:30 P.M. (six plus three makes nine) on October 9, 1940. His mother’s address was 9 Newcastle (nine letters) Road, Wavertree (nine letters), Liverpool. Sadly, his mother was killed when she was struck by a car driven by an off-duty policeman. The car’s registration number was LKF 630 (nine) and the police constable’s badge number was 126 (nine). Familiar locations in Liverpool included Penny Lane (nine) in postal district 18 (nine) in Liverpool (nine). The bus John rode to school each day was number 72 (nine). John also attempted nine
General Certificate of Education Exams but failed each of them.

  Many of the people who touched John’s life had nine letters in their names, including his beloved aunt Mimi Smith, Bob Wooler at the Cavern, the Maharishi, Bill Harry of Mersey Beat newspaper, John’s best friend Stu Sutcliffe, and songwriting partner Paul McCartney.

  John’s musical career was also rife with the number 9. John’s first group was the Quarrymen (nine). The Beatles began with the addition of Paul McCartney and the group played such Liverpool venues as Jacaranda, the Blue Angel, and Cassanova (all containing nine letters). Brian Epstein first introduced himself to the Beatles at the Cavern on November 9, 1961, and nine years later in 1970 the Beatles officially broke up. Epstein died on August 27 (nine), 1967. The Beatles received their recording contract with E.M.I. Records on May 9, 1962 and produced many of their greatest recordings at Abbey Road (nine) Studios. The Beatles made their first appearance in America on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964.

  When John first met his future wife Cynthia Powell she was living at 18 (nine) Trinity Road, Hoylake. John and Cynthia’s son, Julian, was born at Sefton General Hospital, 126 (nine) Smith-down (nine) Road, Liverpool. Ironically, both John’s mother and stepfather were pronounced dead there. John’s second son, Sean, was born on John’s birthday on October 9, 1975.

  A number of Lennon’s recordings featured the number 9 prominently, including “The One after 909,” “Revolution 9,” and “Number Nine Dream.” Lennon told Coleman that one of his most important songs contained nine key words: “All we are saying is give peace a chance.”

  John met his soul mate, Yoko Ono, on November 9, 1966 (strangely the same date of the “mysterious” car crash in the Paul is Dead rumors). He changed his name to John Ono Lennon so that the combination with Yoko Ono Lennon would feature the letter O nine times. In 1971, John and Yoko moved to New York City, and nine years later John Lennon would be murdered. The Lennons lived in an apartment at the Dakota, located at 72nd Street. Their original apartment number was also number 72. John had once received a death threat while performing with the Beatles in Paris in 1964, and became very nervous when the written threat mentioned that “I am going to shoot you at nine tonight.” Tragically, John Lennon was shot to death on 72nd Street outside the Dakota—the time of the shooting was given as 10:50 P.M. on December 8, 1980. However, due to the five-hour time difference between New York and his native Liverpool, Lennon’s death was announced in Great Britain on December 9, 1980. John was rushed by ambulance to Roosevelt (nine) Hospital, which is located on Ninth Avenue, Manhattan. John Lennon was pronounced dead at 11:07 (nine).14

  There are other references to the number nine in John Lennon’s life. In The Last Days of John Lennon, by Frederick Seaman (Seaman was hired as John Lennon’s personal assistant), the author describes the front gate of the Dakota: “Over the front gate is an Indian head carved in stone and surrounded by the digits 1-8-8-1. [1+8=9; 8+1=9; 9+9=18; 1+8=9] To a casual observer, those numbers indicate the year in which the Dakota was built, but after I had spent a couple of years working for the Lennons, I would begin to contemplate them in a very different light: Eight plus one is nine, the highest number, denoting change and spirituality; if you add 99 to 1881, you get 1980—the year in which John Lennon was struck down by a hail of bullets in this very spot; when your good luck runs out, eight-minus-one minus eight-minus-one equals zero.”15

  John Lennon and Yoko Ono were fascinated by the occult. At times John would buy out the entire sections of occult literature in bookstores. He was intrigued by divination and sought the advice of tarot readers and psychics. During the evenings he would follow the example of James Joyce and read seven pages from seven different books before falling asleep: “John read voraciously, often on weighty matters, as if he were researching some challenging subject. He was always giving me lists of books to purchase. Many dealt with religion, psychic phenomena, the occult, and especially death. Other favorite subjects were ancient history, anthropology, and anything having to do with the sea.

  “A typical list of books included Color and Personality by Dr. Audrey Carger; Rebel in the Soul by Bika Reed; The Secret Science by Ischa Schwaller de Lubitz; Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler; A Slaver’s Logbook by Captain Theophilus Con-mean; The Anatomy of Swearing by Ashley Montagu; Working by Studs Terkel; The Manila Galleon, a history of Spanish galleon trading between Manila and Acapulco;… and How to be Really With It, by Father Bernard Basser, S.J.”16

  One of the most surprising aspects of the Lennons’ stay in New York was in how they acquired their apartment at the Dakota. Stephen Birmingham of the Independent News Alliance describes the unsavory history of the Dakota in an article entitled “The Dakota: John Lennon Murder Adds to Often Bizarre Legacy of Century-Old Apartment Building” (December 13, 1980). The dark brooding Dakota has long had a reputation for being haunted. One legendary ghost is said to be that of a young girl who appears in nineteenth-century dress. One worker mentioned seeing the spirit a few years before the Lennons moved in. She calmly bounced a ball and excitedly told the worker, “Today’s my birthday.” When the astonished man told his fellow workers about the mysterious little girl, they searched for her identity. No child at the Dakota matched her description. A few days later, the workman tragically fell to his death down an open stairwell. When the Lennons moved into the Dakota they lived on the seventh floor in apartment 72 [nine]. John Lennon became so upset about the stairwell outside his apartment that he laced it shut with heavy clothesline to keep Sean from falling through the opening.

  Another phantom stalking the Dakota is a figure of a “man with a wig” who would appear at times and threaten workmen. Insiders say the ghost resembles Edward Clark, who built what was described as “the most beautiful apartment house in the world” in 1884. He died before seeing it completed, but strangely records showed that this eccentric millionaire wore a wig and bore a strong resemblance to the ghostly shape that walks the halls of the Dakota.

  Perhaps the living inhabitants who occupied apartments within the shadowy walls of the prestigious dwelling are more fearful than the ghostly spirits. First there was Miss Leo, who stuffed one of her carriage horses and put it on display within her parlor. At the ripe old age of 100 she would walk the halls completely naked, singing songs as her long dyed-red hair billowed out behind her. Only in the imaginative world of William Faulkner could the following story emerge. Miss Leo’s neighbors became very curious about an odd odor that came from within her apartment. It seemed that Miss Leo lived all alone with her bachelor brother. When the puzzling odor became a stench the neighbors entered the room to find the corpse of her brother still sitting in his favorite chair. He had been dead for days but Miss Leo could not bear to part with him.

  The Dakota was a gathering place for celebrities. Judy Garland had lived there, as had Edward R. Murrow. Lauren Bacall, Rex Reed, Leonard Bernstein, and Roberta Flack were also familiar patrons of the Dakota. Of course, some tenants died there. The list of celebrities who “shuffled off this mortal coil” and made their way through the seldom opened Undertaker’s Gate on Seventy-third Street included Boris Karloff, Judy Holiday, and actor Robert Ryan and his wife Jessie.

  “Apartment 72 is the Ryans’ old apartment, and when the Lennons moved in they decided to hire a medium to investigate the possibility of any resident spirits. Promptly contacted was the late Jessie Ryan, who announced that she was happy to share her home with John and Yoko, and promised to cause them no trouble.

  “Yoko Lennon decided that it would be a good idea to let the Ryans’ daughter, Lisa, know of her mother’s whereabouts in the Beyond.

  “Lisa Ryan was not exactly thrilled with the news.”1

  Still another sinister history permeated the history of the seventh floor of the Dakota apartments. The Roman Polanski horror film Rosemary’s Baby was filmed in a series of apartments that were bought by the Lennons. Of course, shortly after the release of this occult thriller, Polanski’s wife Sha
ron Tate was brutally murdered in Los Angeles by the Manson family. It was even suggested by Seaman that Lennon had written “Helter Skelter” on one of the apartment walls within his Dakota offices.

  When Yoko became pregnant with Sean it was determined that the baby would be delivered by caesarean on John’s thirty-fifth birthday, October 9, 1975. “It was not until much later, when I learned that among the many superstitions John and Yoko shared was an ancient Hindu belief that a son born on his father’s birthday inherits his soul when the father dies, that I finally understood why Yoko would go to such lengths to deliver a child on John’s birthday.”17 In Dakota Days, the Lennons’ tarot reader John Green, who was known to them as Charlie Swan, relates this story with Yoko speaking: “‘This baby is going to change the world. If a messiah were going to be reborn today, he would choose rock stars as parents so he could have access to the media … Our baby can’t be normal! We would hate a normal baby! No, she has to be perfect.’

  “‘She?’

  “‘Now don’t be stubborn, Charlie. I know that you said ‘a boy,’ but this time the Messiah has to be a woman. It makes sense, doesn’t it? Last time a man, this time a woman. That’s the economy of the universe.’”18

  Of course the baby was a boy and his name was chosen in the following fashion. John is speaking: “‘Yeah, we decided on Sean. It means John in Irish or Gaelic or something… Yoko wanted to name him John, but as I already got a son named John—John Julian—I thought having two sons with the same name a bit redundant. And Taro, that’s his middle name. That’s for you, like the cards … No, you’re right. It’s John in Japanese or something, but I thought the similarity was fun.’”19

  John Green (Charlie) also recalls a trip with Yoko to consult a bruja [witch] in Colombia for protection against her enemies and for Sean’s continued good health. After Yoko went through a series of purification rituals, it was time for the blood sacrifice. A dove was displayed as Nora, the witch, pierced its tiny brain with a sharpened stick. When the witch asked Yoko to sign her name in blood to seal the pact, Yoko suddenly became terrified and asked if it would be all right if John were to sign it for her, but to sign his own name and not hers. Green signed the pact but only after warning Yoko of the dire consequences of trying to mislead supernatural forces. When this was completed the ceremony ended.