Mitch Mitchell, Hendrix drummer, dead at 61

[redsmetz]

The final member of The Jimi Hendrix Experience has died.

Hendrix's drummer Mitchell dies

Mitch Mitchell, the British drummer in the seminal 1960s band the Jimi Hendrix Experience, has been found dead in his US hotel room, authorities say.

The 61-year-old was discovered in the Benson Hotel in Portland, Oregon, in the early hours of Wednesday.

A medical examiner told Associated Press news agency the death appeared to be from natural causes but that there would be an autopsy.

Hendrix died in 1970 and the band's bassist Noel Redding died in 2003.

Mitchell, from Ealing in west London, had been touring with the Experience Hendrix Tour.

'Rock 'n' roll hero'

Janie Hendrix, chief executive of the tour and step-sister of Jimi Hendrix, paid tribute to Mitchell.

"He was a wonderful man, a brilliant musician and a true friend," she said.

He performed on Hendrix classics such as Are You Experienced? Electric Ladyland and Axis: Bold As Love.

The top session drummer also played with the likes of Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Keith Richards and Muddy Waters.

A musical pioneer, he is credited with helping to develop a "fusion" drumming style that combined rock with jazz.

He joined the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1966 and backed the rocker for his legendary performance at Woodstock three years later.

Bob Merlis, a spokesman for the tour, said his death was "devastating".

He had seen Mitchell perform two weeks ago in Los Angeles and the drummer appeared healthy and upbeat, he said.

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

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

[camisadelgolf]

Mitchell is a legend in so many ways. I drum when I have access to a kit, making me just barely good enough to drum for the White Stripes, but Mitch Mitchell is someone I always wanted to sound like.

[RedsFan75]

Isn't Billy Cox the bassist still alive?

Sad to see the Legends pass.

[MrCinatit]

Originally Posted by RedsFan75

Isn't Billy Cox the bassist still alive?

Sad to see the Legends pass.

Hendrix asked Cox to join the band, but he declined (Oop!), but did reunite with Hendrix near the end of his life. Noel Redding did the bass work for the Experience.
May Mitchell rest in peace. Sixty-one is quite young - even for a rocker.

[redsmetz]

Originally Posted by MrCinatit

Hendrix asked Cox to join the band, but he declined (Oop!), but did reunite with Hendrix near the end of his life. Noel Redding did the bass work for the Experience.
May Mitchell rest in peace. Sixty-one is quite young - even for a rocker.

But he lived longer than both Hendrix and Redding. I think Cox was in the Band of Gypsies (along with Buddy Miles, who died earlier this year). Am I remembering that correctly?

[redsmetz]

Because there performers were older than me, I forget how young these folks were when they first his the scene. Hendrix was the senior member, just shy of his 24th birthday. Mitchell had just turned 19 and Redding would be 21 that Christmas of 1966. Of course, Hendrix died before his 28th birthday.

[RedsFan75]

You are correct Cox was in Band of Gypsies. I'd forgotten Redding.