Mitch Mitchell was found dead in a Portland, Oregon hotel room Wednesday morning. According to the representative for the Hendrix estate, Mitchell passed away five days after the conclusion of the 2008 Experience Hendrix tour. He was sixty-one years old.
Mitchell was the stand out drummer that provided the beat for arguably the most well-known guitar player in the history of rock music. Mitchell’s breakthrough performance was on Jimi Hendrix’s first album Are You Experienced? which featured many trademark songs such as Purple Haze and Manic Depression. This five star album features Mitchell’s drumming that has become a template for rock/jazz drummers over the past four decades. The style that he helped create is now known as Fusion Drumming.
Mitchell recorded on other classic albums such as Jimi Hendrix’s Axis: Bold As Love and Electric Ladyland. Mitchell was with Hendrix through the bulk of his career and was the only drummer that Hendrix would record with in the studio. One of his most memorable moments was the history-making performance at Woodstock with Hendrix in 1969.
Experience Hendrix CEO commented on Mitchell’s contribution to the Hendrix dynasty saying, “We’re all devastated to hear of Mitch’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.”
Mitchell made music with many of the great guitarists of the sixties and seventies. He played with Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, John Lennon, Muddy Waters, and Jeff Beck. His drumming was known for upbeat jazz influenced rock parts that were unique but technical.
Before his career in music, Mitchell was a child actor with the starring role on in the 1958 British sitcom “Jennings At School.” He is survived by his mother, wife, a daughter, and two grandchildren.
