Classic Rock Musings, Rants & Raves

Mitch Mitchell, drummer for the Jimi Hendrix Experience, was found dead this morning in a Portland, Oregon hotel room. At press time, I have heard little else regarding the cause or circumstances, although some reports indicate Mitchell apparently died of natural causes.

I saw the 62-year-old Mitchell earlier this month at the Experience Hendrix concert in Los Angeles (the tour wrapped on November 8 in Portland). Although he didn’t play much, he looked in great spirits. Any Hendrix fan knows Mitchell was integral to the guitarist’s short-lived career. No only did Mitchell, bassist Noel Redding and Hendrix go on to stardom as the Jimi Hendrix Experience; Mitchell and Hendrix also played together at the Woodstock and Isle of Wight concerts.

The drummer was tapped by John Lennon to join the Dirty Mac (which included Keith Richards and Eric Clapton) for a one-time appearance at the Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus. In 1970, Mitchell almost joined keyboardist Keith Emerson and Greg Lake in a new group. Last year, during my interview with Keith Emerson, he told me that Mitchell talked about bringing Hendrix into the fold, but internal problems arose, Carl Palmer came along and the new group became Emerson, Lake and Palmer. In 1974, Mitchell apparently auditioned for Paul McCartney & Wings, but he didn’t make the cut.

Since the 70s, little has been heard or seen of Mitchell. He did participate in some latter-day Hendrix posthumous releases, but that’s about it. The man was innovative for his unique drumming style, and will forever be tied to the legend of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Hopefully, he’ll rejoin Hendrix, who died in 1970, and Redding, who passed in 2003, for some heavenly jams…