Jimi Hendrix drummer Mitch Mitchell found dead in hotel
Jimi Hendrix Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell found dead
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Thursday, 13, Nov 2008 05:16
The British drummer for the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Mitch Mitchell, has been found dead in his US hotel room.
The 62-year-old, the last surviving member of the legendary 60s group, was discovered in the Benson Hotel in Portland, Oregon on Wednesday morning.
No cause of death has yet been confirmed but a medical examiner was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying an autopsy would be held.
The drummer, from Ealing, west London, had recently completed an 18-date US tour with Experience Hendrix, a tribute show to the iconic guitarist.
Janie Hendrix, chief executive of the tour and step-sister to Jimi said all involved in Experience Hendrix were "devastated" to hear of Mitchell's passing.
"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," she added.
"Over the course of the recent tour [Mitch] seemed delighted with the interchange with the other musicians and the audiences. There is no question that he was doing what he loved."
Mitchell, who drummed on albums such as Are You Experienced? Electric Ladyland and Axis: Bold As Love as well working with the likes of Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Keith Richards, was credited through changing the sound of rock drumming through his jazz-influenced "fusion" style.
"His interplay with Jimi Hendrix's guitar on songs like 'Fire' is truly amazing," said Terry Stewart, chief executive of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
"Mitch Mitchell had a massive influence on rock 'n' roll drumming and took it to new heights."
Hendrix died in London in 1970, aged just 27, while Noel Redding, bassist for the Jimi Hendrix experience died at his home in Cork, Ireland in 2003, at the age of 57.