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Mitch Mitchell, RIP

charlie brown

By charlie brown
in Epiphone Electrics

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charlie brown

charlie brown

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Just read that Hendrix drummer Mitch Mitchell died.

Amazing drummer! R.I.P. Mitch!

 

CB

 

Mitch Mitchell of Hendrix Experience Dies

AP

Mitch Mitchell, Nov. 12: The rock durmmer, left, and last surviving member of the legendary Jimi Hendrix Experience, was found dead in a Portland hotel room of apparent natural causes. He was 62. The leader of the band overdosed in 1970, while bassist Noel Redding, right, died in 2003.

 

Mitchell was a powerful force on the Hendrix band's 1967 debut album "Are You Experienced?" as well as the trio's albums "Electric Ladyland" and "Axis: Bold As Love." He had an explosive drumming style that can be heard in hard-charging songs such as "Fire" and "Manic Depression."

The Englishman had been drumming for the Experience Hendrix Tour, which performed Friday in Portland. It was the last stop on the West Coast part of the tour.

Hendrix died in 1970. Bass player Noel Redding died in 2003.

An employee at Portland's Benson Hotel called police after discovering Mitchell's body.

Erin Patrick, a deputy medical examiner, said Mitchell apparently died of natural causes. An autopsy was planned.

 

"He was a wonderful man, a brilliant musician and a true friend," said Janie Hendrix, chief executive of the Experience Hendrix Tour and Jimi Hendrix' stepsister. "His role in shaping the sound of the Jimi Hendrix Experience cannot be underestimated."

Bob Merlis, a spokesman for the tour, said Mitchell had stayed in Portland for a four-day vacation and planned to leave Wednesday.

"It was a devastating surprise," Merlis said. "Nobody drummed like he did."

He said he saw Mitchell perform two weeks ago in Los Angeles, and the drummer appeared to be healthy and upbeat.

Merlis said the tour was designed to bring together veteran musicians who had known Hendrix — like Mitchell — and younger artists, such as Grammy-nominated winner Jonny Lang, who have been influenced by him.

Blues-rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, who is 31 and was part of the tour, said Mitchell was to the drums what Hendrix was to the guitar.

"Today many of us have lost a dear friend, and the world has lost a rock n' roll hero," he said.

Mitchell was a one-of-a-kind drummer whose "jazz-tinged" style was influenced by Max Roach and Elvin Jones, Merlis said. The work was a vital part of both the Jimi Hendrix Experience in the 1960s and the Experience Hendrix Tour that ended last week, he said.

"If Jimi Hendrix were still alive," Merlis said, "he would have acknowledged that."

During his career Mitchell played with the best in the business — not just Hendrix, but also Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Keith Richards, Jack Bruce, Jeff Beck, Muddy Waters and others.

Mitchell performed with Hendrix and Redding at the Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967, the U.S. debut of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. He also was member of a later version of the band that performed the closing set of the Woodstock Festival in August 1969 — where Hendrix played a psychedelic version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the band launched into "Purple Haze."

The Jimi Hendrix Experience was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 1992. According to the Hall of Fame, Mitchell was born July 9, 1947, in Ealing, England.

Terry Stewart, chief executive of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, said Mitchell transformed his instrument from a "strictly percussive element to a lead instrument."

"His interplay with Jimi Hendrix's guitar on songs like 'Fire' is truly amazing," Stewart said Wednesday. "Mitch Mitchell had a massive influence on rock 'n' roll drumming and took it to new heights."

Hendrix, Redding and Mitchell held their first rehearsal in October 1966, according to the Hall of Fame's Web site.

In an interview last month with the Boston Herald, Mitchell said he met Hendrix "in this sleazy little club."

"We did some Chuck Berry and took it from there," Mitchell told the newspaper. "I suppose it worked."

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charlie brown

charlie brown

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Yeah, I was shocked! I can still remember the first time I heard that first Hendrix "album" (then) in 1967!

I was 17, and couldn't believe it was just 3 guys, playing all that. It was the first time, I'd ever heard anything

like it, and it was like all 3 were "lead!" Such amazing interplay, and that sound!! We (my freinds and I) wore

out that album...probably 2 or 3 of them, to be honest! T'was the beginnning, of a whole new direction, for me

and everyone else, in Rock & Roll...

 

CB

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BENT E

BENT E

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Well! I guess Jimi felt it was time to get the band back together Again.

 

I had the pleasure of seeing The Experience several times, and to hear Mitch playing off of Jimi was great~ Let the Heaven's ring with Electric Church Music, care of the Jimi Hendrix Experience...

 

RIP

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Kennyh

Kennyh

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Sad news indeed. Yet another musician who wasn't appreciated nearly enough while he was alive. Apparently he auditioned for The Who before Keith Moon got the gig. He was a perfect fit for Hendrix though, those three albums wouldn't have been the same without Mitchell and Redding, they allowed Jimi's playing to really shine.

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