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Jimi Hendrix Experience Drummer Mitch Mitchell Obituary
Written by Paul Rance
Monday, 17 November 2008

Mitch Mitchell from Electric Ladyland Album Art. Photo by Linda McCartney & Robert Montgomery.

Mitch Mitchell, the last surviving member of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, passed away on November 12th, 2008. He was 61.

Born in Ealing, West London, on July 9th, 1947, Mitch Mitchell was to become one of the most respected drummers in rock history, which was no mean feat - managing in not being completely upstaged by the mesmeric guitar work of Jimi Hendrix. Mitchell played with Hendrix at Monterey, Woodstock, and at Hendrix's last gig, the 1970 Isle Of Wight Festival.

Mitchell, in fact, started off as a child actor, but his calling was as a drummer, and his rise was pretty meteoric. Early on in his career, Mitch Mitchell was a session drummer for The Pretty Things and played with Georgie Fame And The Blue Flames. At the age of 19, Mitchell was the drummer for The Jimi Hendrix Experience, with Noel Redding on bass. They were, with Cream, the great power trio of 1960s rock. Though short-lived, The Jimi Hendrix Experience produced songs such as 'Hey Joe', 'Purple Haze', and 'Voodoo Chile' - all recognised as some of the greatest rock recordings. Mitchell also drummed on such classic Jimi Hendrix Experience albums as 'Are You Experienced', 'Axis: Bold As Love', and 'Electric Ladyland'.

Few drummers have worked with so many top muiscians as Mitch Mitchell, which apart from those already mentioned, included Eric Clapton, John Lennon, and Keith Richards in the combo The Dirty Mac on 'Yer Blues' for the 'The Rolling Stones Rock And Roll Circus' in 1968. Plus, Jack Bruce, Jeff Beck, Robert Wyatt, Buddy Guy, and Robby Krieger.

Mitch Mitchell had always been loyal to the legacy of Jimi Hendrix, and, ironically, had just completed a Hendrix tribute tour five days before his death. Mitch died in Portland, Oregon - which had been the last venue of the tour - apparently of natural causes. He is survived by wife Dee, and a daughter.

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