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Mitch Mitchell of Hendrix Experience Dies

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Portland, Ore. (Nov. 12) - Mitch Mitchell, drummer for the legendary Jimi Hendrix Experience of the 1960s and the group's last surviving member, was found dead in his hotel room early Wednesday. He was 61.

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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.

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R.I.P. Mitch Mitchell: YouTube Jukebox

'Manic Depression'

'Hey Joe'

'Fire'

'Crosstown Traffic'

"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."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2008-11-12 17:38:34

Dan Steinberg, AP

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FACEMONKEY429

11:17 PMNov 18 2008

HE WAS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST DRUMMERS ACCORDING TO ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE, & WITH HIM AT THE DRUM KIT MADE MUSIC SOUND MORE INTENSE & FULL OF LIFE... HE'LL BE MISSED DEARLY BY EVERYONE IN THE WORLD OF ROCK N ROLL, R&B, ETC.MAY HE PLAY ETERNALLY WITH THE ROCK GODS......

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JTSNEAKERS

11:48 AMNov 17 2008

Breathofsighs 1 is way off when he says "Wow, can you even imagine what they could have acomplished with todays technologies? wow' There is nothing like the raw energy of Jimi's music. Pure rock n roll, pure and simple. The simple and raw drive of rock, that is where it's at. Jimi was smart and innovative, but todays technology for good old fashion rock n roll would give us disco music. Today's technology does not belong in Jimi's music. There is too much junk and the sound is cheap and lousy in today's pop music. RIP Mitch, you get your rest now, enjoy it in heaven.

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JTSNEAKERS

11:47 AMNov 17 2008

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Keensiepeach

01:46 AMNov 17 2008

I am 20 years old, and I am here to apologize for those who lack the understanding of what a grievous loss this is. My generation knows next to nothing about innovation when it comes to music or fashion- all we appreciate on the whole has already been done, over and over... beaten to death and then to pieces. I apologize for us. The Experience is truly transcendental and perhaps some day there will be others my age who appreciate that.

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JIMI5A3

08:03 PMNov 16 2008

And the Heavenly Experience begins !!!!! Rock on brothers.....Gods tapping toes...I was 13 when the experience broke out...i lived in Morgan Hill Calif. when they did Monterry in 67', tried to get my uncle to take me but he balked.....Jimi,Mitch and Noel,,, thanks guys for the greatest experience of my life...you'r in my ears and in my eyes all the time....God Bless you all.....

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RKOHNRKPKAK

06:49 AMNov 14 2008

Way to go Slicric, I'm still trying to get my 26 yr. old to move out!R.I.P. Mitch

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Slic ric 13

06:23 AMNov 14 2008

Asilthy- Our generation- Stopped an unjust war, civil rights, women's rights.Yours-?Our generation- Beatles, Dylan, Hendrix, ect.Yours- Backstreet boys and rapcrapOur generation- Respects, admires and appreciates the generation before usYours, living in Mom and Dad's basement when your 30I find it funny your inthe nursing care biss and remember, We didn't start the fire!

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Breathofsighs1

11:08 PMNov 14 2008

There was just 'something' about their music. You either loved it beyond reason or you hated it. There was no in between. I loved their music. It just connec ted deep inside of me and I could drift away. Trying to explain what Jimi's music made you feel is like trying to explain what food taste like to someone who has no taste buds. Hey Joe has to be one of my faves, the guitar and drums were perfection without a doubt. So many tunes of theirs to name . Wow, can you even imagine what they could have acomplished with todays technologies? wow.

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ASlithyToveRedux

09:21 PMNov 14 2008

Any of you old people need a walker? You old coots kill me ! ... Whining about what used to be when you were a teenager, wha, wha, wha .... sounds like my granpa telling us what it was like to be in the big one when FDR was prez .... and half of the people that posted on this board sound like they barely finished high school and never stopped smoking dope ... people my age have no respect for people YOUR AGE .... you don't get, do you? You are now the generation that is in the way, the ones that screwed up everything, the ones that ruined the economy, politics, the environment ... good riddance to the lot of you ...... the company I work for owns nursing homes: I can make reservations for you old poops if you want!

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Newjeff121

09:02 PMNov 14 2008

ASlithyToveRedux says "OMG!!!! This will leave a hole in the oldies shows .... maybe Buddy Rich can come back from the dead and fill in.As if anyone under 35 cared" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------- If you dont care, why post your ignorant comments? Under 35 is certainly old enough to know the difference between respect and stupidity! Your an idiot! Next time get your mommys permission before you go on line or she will take your crayons away.

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