Mitch Mitchell - the last member of The Jimi Hendrix Experience - has died at the age of 61, it was announced today.
The drummer, who was 61, died in his US hotel room while playing a series of gigs with the Experience Hendrix Tour.
An autopsy will be held but authorities said his death appeared to be from natural causes. The musician outlived his bandleader by 38 years, while bass player Noel Redding died in 2003.
Friends and colleagues paid tribute to the drummer whose work brought a jazz feel to the incendiary rock and roll formula of Hendrix on albums such as Are You Experienced? Electric Ladyland and Axis: Bold As Love.
Janie Hendrix, the guitarist’s step-sister said: "He was a wonderful man, a brilliant musician and a true friend.”
Guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, who is a member of the touring party said:
"Today many of us have lost a dear friend, and the world has lost a rock 'n' roll hero.”
The body of Mitchell, who joined Hendrix’s band in 1966, was discovered in the Benson Hotel in Portland, Oregon, on Wednesday. During his career he had played with towering figures such as Eric Clapton, John Lennon and Muddy Waters.
[Watch Mitch Mitchell playing with the Jimi Hendrix Experience here]
11:35 AM | 13/11/2008
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its a shame one of the greatest from an era, he just move the jazz drums to a hard rock.
no other gives the wings that jimi needs to fly trough the 6 strings as he did.
god bless mitch and enjoy for the first time in heaven jimi,mitch and noel.
Posted by eduardo Vidaurreta at 6:40 AM | 15/11/2008 | Report Abuse
I remember The Experience's first 2 albums were awesome. From there on I was an Experience freak. Band of Gypsys was alright. Rest In Peace, Jimi, Noel and Mitchell.Yours Truly, Ed Quinn.
Posted by Ed Quinn at 2:54 PM | 16/11/2008 | Report Abuse
unbelievable. this is a great loss. words are superflous........................
Posted by barry at 10:03 PM | 17/11/2008 | Report Abuse
sad ending ..RIP..too bad Janie Hendrix a non blood relative never properly compensated Mitch, Noel, Tamika or the child..or Leon and the surviving sister who is disabled..
Posted by Ann Phelan at 5:22 PM | 23/11/2008 | Report Abuse
I read Mitch Mitchell's book, which chronicles the band from the very beginning to the end. His attention to details, like gigs, the year they were played, etc, is remarkable. He really took you inside of Jimi's world in a way only a fellow band member could. Like the Rainbow Bridge gig was portayed as this hippie elite place. Mitch said it was depressing with all these weird "cosmic" people who were basically just a bunch of stoners.
He told it like it was. God bless his soul
Posted by Wayne Roten at 5:13 AM | 10/12/2008 | Report Abuse
My father, a vietnam veteran, emerced me with the magic of Hendrix so early that him and my mother will tell you my first words were "Jimi Hendrix" (Which, my mom wasn't too ecstatic about). There will never be another drummer like him. A sad loss for all of us.
Posted by Rick Knisley at 6:51 PM | 20/12/2008 | Report Abuse
It's hard for me to conceive how much of my own experience has been filled with the beautiful music of the Experience. So much passion! Both Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding were as integral to the sound of the Experience as Jimi himself. I will love them always.
Posted by Brett at 6:26 AM | 01/01/2009 | Report Abuse
I saw Mitch Mitchell's last performance, with the Experience Hendrix tour in Spokane, Washington. What a great performance! If there is an afterlife, I'm sure Jimi was smiling down on him that night! I have been a Hendrix fan for almost 40 years, and the Experience Hendrix concert was certainly a highpoint in my life so far! If the tour comes to a town near you, go see it! It will be well worth your money!
Posted by Tim radziemski at 2:17 AM | 04/01/2009 | Report Abuse
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