Legendary rock drummer Mitch Mitchell was found dead, apparently of natural causes, in his Portland, Oregon hotel room yesterday, November 12th. He was the last surviving member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
Jimi Hendrix died in 1970 and bass player Noel Redding died in 2003.
Mitchell was a hard hitting contributor on the band's 1967 debut Are You Experienced? as well as the albums Electric Ladyland and Axis: Bold As Love.
His style irrefutably shaped the drumming we still see in todays music. Without Mitch, Dave Grohl (for example) would probably have a similar style to that of Charlie Watts, the zombie that's been behind the kit for the Rolling Stones all these years. How awesome would the Foo Fighters be then? Huh?
Not so awesome, that's right.
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The Englishman from Ealing, UK had been drumming for the Experience Hendrix Tour, which performed Friday in Portland, OR. It was the last stop on the West Coast leg of the tour.
"He was a wonderful man, a brilliant musician and a true friend", said Janie Hendrix, CEO of the Experience Hendrix Tour and Jimi Hendrix's stepsister. "His role in shaping the sound of the Jimi Hendrix Experience cannot be underestimated."
During his career Mitchell played not just with Jimi but also with some of the best rockers in the business, including (but in no way limited to) Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Keith Richards, Jack Bruce, Jeff Beck, Muddy Waters and more.
Thoughts and prayers, people... thoughts and prayers.
