Jimi Hendrix Drummer Dead
Nov. 13 2008, Published 12:34 p.m. ET
Mitch playing Nov 3rd, 2008 Mitch Mitchell, legendary rock drummer for Jimi Hendrix, was found dead in his hotel room on Wednesday morning.
The British-born "natural" had finished the last West Coast date for the current Experience Hendrix Tour on Friday in Portland.
"He was a wonderful man, a brilliant musician and a true friend," said Janie Hendrix, chief executive of the Experience Hendrix Tour and Jimi's stepsister. "His role in shaping the sound of the Jimi Hendrix Experience cannot be underestimated."
Mitchell said in a recent interview that he originally met Jimi "in this sleazy little club."
"We did some Chuck Berry and took it from there," Mitchell recalled. "I suppose it worked."
Guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, also on the current Hendrix tour with Grammy-winning Jonny Lang, told press, "Mitchell was to the drums what Hendrix was to the guitar."
- Aerosmith Announces Retirement From Touring After 54 Years — Band Confirms Steven Tyler's 'Full Recovery' From Vocal Injury 'Not Possible'
- Cardi B Announces She’s Pregnant With Baby No. 3...After Filing for Divorce AGAIN From Husband Offset: ‘With Every End Comes a New Beginning’
- Joe Biden Speaks Out for First Time Since Ditching 2024 Election Campaign — Praising ‘Capable and Tough’ VP Kamala Harris
'Are You Experienced' - Released 1967 Mitchell also drummed with John Lennon, Eric Clapton, and Keith Richards (on bass) in The Dirty Mac, a dream band that The Rolling Stones put together for their 1968 Rock and Roll Circus.
At 61, Mitchell was the last surviving member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
Mitchell apparently died of natural causes.