Thoughts on Mitch Mitchell
Jimi's drummer of choice rewrote the rock and roll drumming rulebook
Written by ant (24)
Mitch Mitchell — the last survivor of The Experience — rejoined Jimi, Noel and Chas on November 12th. He was 62 years old, and the first reports suggest that he went peacefully in his sleep, of 'natural causes'. Coming as it did, just a few days after finishing my review of their debut recording, the news has hit me with all the force the trio habitually exerted.
Quite simply, Mitchell was one of the greatest players to have ever picked up sticks. Why else did Hendrix make him a Rainbow Gypsy as The Experience folded? His dynamic percussion techniques and fusion innovations remain at the core of rock, and — way back then — he was a pioneer of the concept of 'lead drumming'.
Post-Hendrix, he took a large part of the responsibility for getting most of the posthumously released material into condition. Though he continued to play, on and off, with various formations, he never regained the profile he'd had while sparring with Jimi. He'd recently finished a tribute tour when he died.
Another legend lost, leaving us to marvel over his legacy. Rest in peace.
yestermorrow Nov 15, 2008 11:18 AM Quote ↓
Hard to take, especially considering the fact that this is the only big group from the sixties wherein ALL members are now gone.
Graham Nash said "in the sixties you had Dylan and Hendrix, and who else, really?" I know he meant the Experience, not just Hendrix himself. Can you imagine Jimi achieving what he did with another, more conventional drummer? I can't even imagine it, but it wouldn't have worked. Mitch (and Noel) were huge parts of that trio — which was a true trio, not only a backing group plus Jimi.
Thanks for the words ant.