RIP: Mitch Mitchell, Drummer of Jimi Hendrix Experience [1947-2008]
November 13th, 2008 by Perry
Yesterday, the last chapter closed on one of the most influential bands in rock-n-roll history. Mitch Mitchell, former drummer and last surviving member of the original Jimi Hendrix Experience lineup, passed away at age 61.
While the original JHE was only around for about 3 and a half years, they produced numerous classics like “Hey Joe”, “Purple Haze”, “Foxy Lady”, “Fire”, “Little Wing”, “Spanish Castle Magic”, “All Along the Watchtower” and “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” to name a few.
While the tracks were remembered for Hendrix’s blazing guitar licks, Mitchell’s jazz-infused drum style was a trademark, and really stands out in songs like “Crosstown Traffic” and “Spanish Castle Magic.”
I can still remember the first time I heard Jimi Hendrix Experience. I probably played the CD about 20 times in a row, amazed by the amount of music produced by just Jimi, Mitch and bassist Noel Redding.
Redding passed away five years ago from complications of cirrhosis. Hendrix died in 1970 due to a sleeping pill overdose under circumstances that are still debated today. Mitchell was found in his hotel room in Portland while participating in the Experience Hendrix Tour, which matched up artists who played with Hendrix with artists influenced by him. Mitchell reportedly looked frail in recent months, and while an autopsy has yet to determine cause of death it is believed to be of natural causes.
