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Mitch Mitchell, drummer for Hendrix, dies in hotel
Kiran Randhawa13 Nov 2008
THE last surviving member of one of rock music'smost influential bands has been found dead in an American hotel room.
Mitch Mitchell, the British drummer in The Jimi Hendrix Experience, was discovered by staff at a hotel in Portland, Oregon. The 61-year-old, from Ealing, is believed to have died from natural causes but a post-mortem will be held.
Tributes poured in today for Mitchell, who secured his place in rock and roll history after joining guitarist Jimi Hendrix and bass player Noel Redding in 1966. He had been performing in the US on the Experience Hendrix Tour, a five-week long tour featuring some of the best known figures in rock and blues to celebrate the Hendrix legacy.
Janie Hendrix, tour manager and step-sister of Jimi Hendrix, said: "He was a wonderful man, a brilliant musician and a true friend. His role in shaping the sound of the Jimi Hendrix Experience cannot be underestimated." Michell had stayed on in Portland for a four-day holiday and planned to leave yesterday.
Bob Merlis, tour spokesman, said he had seen Mitchell perform two weeks ago in Los Angeles and the drummer appeared healthy and upbeat. "It was a devastating surprise," he said. "Nobody drummed like he did."
Mitchell performed on Hendrix classics such as Are You Experienced? Electric Ladyland and Axis: Bold As Love.
As a session drummer, he played with Eric Clapton, John Lennon, the Rolling Stones and Muddy Waters and is credited with helping to develop a "fusion" drumming style that combined rock with jazz. He began his career as a jazz drummer and went on to work with The Pretty Things and Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames. He also worked at the London music shop of Jim Marshall, creator of the ubiqitous Marshall amps.
He was the last surviving member of the trio after Hendrix died in 1970 and Redding died in 2003.
Blues-rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, who was on 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 '*' roll hero," he said.
Tributes also flooded in on websites including, mitchmitchell.de. One from fan Chris Flores said: "A lot of drummers are great but there is only one Mitch Mitchell. Mitchell held it all together for Hendrix. How do you play drums like that? He's the best I ever heard! That's the way real drums should sound like!"
Another added: "So saddened by the news of Mitch's passing...there has been no one like him since."
Hendrix dissolved the Experience in 1969 but Mitchell continued to play with him until he died. They performed together at the legendary 1969 Woodstock festival in the US.
In an interview last month with the Boston Herald, Mitchell said he met first Hendrix "in this sleazy little club. We did some Chuck Berry and took it from there", Mitchell said. "I suppose it worked." He is survived by his wife of 24 years and a daughter.
Reader views (2)
I live up the road from the Governor Hotel in Portland and was disheartened at the news of my favorite drummer. He came from an amazing melting pot of music in London in the 60's and made a true mark of his own.
I had to drop by and sit down by the performers entrance at the last venue that he played drums, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. It was sad because he brought so much life through his instrument and spirit.
There will NEVER be another one like him. The drummers of the world flag is flying at half-mast today.
- Doebke, Portland, Or Usa, Portland, OR USA, 14/11/2008 02:18
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O time takes another from a by gone era,saw Hendrix in the marque and on the isle of white.Days of fun and optimism,where did it all go.
- Kev, London, 13/11/2008 12:55
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