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."
- Johnny Depp's Longtime Pal, Legendary Rock N' Roll Guitarist Jeff Beck Dead At 78
- Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s Tell-All Netflix Series Delayed To 2023 After Attacks On ‘The Crown’
- Dianne Feinstein Refuses To Retire Before Her Senate Term Ends In 2024 Despite Colleagues Arguing She Is 'Mentally Unfit To Serve'
'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.